Orange has opened a 5G Lab in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, giving local businesses and startups a dedicated space to test and experiment with 5G applications ahead of the network’s commercial rollout, which was scheduled for 2023.
“We recognise that 5G is a new opportunity for businesses eager to diversify, optimise or revitalise their activity,” Mamadou Bamba, CEO of Orange Cote d’Ivoire, said. “This initiative reflects our historic commitment to digital inclusion. We aim to foster innovation and help create value within the local ecosystem.”
What the lab offers
The Orange 5G Lab Abidjan offers free, customised services built with expert partners including Huawei, Nokia, and ZTE. The facility is structured around two concepts: allowing businesses to discover what 5G could do for their operations, and providing hands-on support for those ready to experiment with specific use cases.
The site includes a demo space for different business sectors, along with facilities for conferences, training, co-working sessions, and practical 5G application testing.
Part of a global network
“Like the Orange Digital Center opened last year, the Orange 5G Lab will allow faster adoption of this technology by local businesses,” Jerome Henique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said. He noted that users of the Abidjan lab would also have access to feedback from more than 1,500 businesses and local authorities that have used Orange 5G Labs worldwide.
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