POESAM 2026: Sonatel recognizes Mbay Mi Connect for its agricultural credit access solution

Mbay Mi Connect, supported by the B2C Agribusiness group, won the first prize in the 16th edition of the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM), the results of which were announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Through this edition, Sonatel highlights entrepreneurs who use digital technology to provide solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Launched in 2011 and deployed in 17 countries in the Africa and Middle East region, POESAM registered 262 projects in Senegal this year, compared to 145 in 2025, representing an increase of over 35%. Ten finalists were submitted to the national jury, which ultimately selected Mbay Mi Connect, Tamusana, and Wuruss to represent Senegal in the next stage of the competition.

An innovation geared towards agricultural financing

The Mbay Mi Connect project, coordinated by young engineers who graduated from the Higher School of Agriculture in Thiès, aims to facilitate access to credit for small producers by providing banks, investors and microfinance institutions with data collected directly in the field.

“Often, to obtain this kind of data, you have to go out into the field,” explains the project’s co-founder. For him, the distinction goes beyond the financial reward: it validates the potential of a solution that could, with the support of partners, have a national and regional impact.

Mbay Mi Connect receives 2 million FCFA for first place. Tamusana and Wuruss, second and third respectively, each receive 1 million FCFA.

For Massamba Mbaye, director of Sonatel Factory, the selection process was not easy given the high quality of the applications. The jury took into account artificial intelligence, Big Data, and cybersecurity, while also placing significant emphasis on social, economic, and environmental impact.

“We have received some very interesting, very innovative projects that will impact the ecosystem,” he stressed.

Support that goes beyond the competition

POESAM is part of a broader approach to supporting the digital ecosystem and young entrepreneurs. Through its Startup Factory and its Startup Lab and Orange Fab programs, the company reports having already supported more than 110 startups.

This support is based in particular on access to experts in IT, networks, and marketing to help project leaders make their solutions more operational. Financial support can also be mobilized for certain startups, with amounts ranging from 10 million to 300 or 500 million FCFA, depending on the needs and potential of the project.

Follow-up continues even after the programs end. According to the director, Sonatel maintains contact with the supported startups and monitors their progress. The goal is to help them consolidate their operations and, for the most promising projects, scale up.

“They come with ideas. We need to be able to support them so that they can be more operational,” he explained.

With Mbay Mi Connect, Tamusana, and Wuruss, Senegal is now continuing its journey on an international level. This marks a new stage for these three initiatives, following their selection from among the 262 projects submitted this year.