Three Tunisian Projects Advance to the International Final of POESAM 2026

Orange Tunisie has announced the winners of the national final for the Orange Prize for Social Entrepreneurship in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM). As part of the competition’s 16th edition, the organization selected the top three laureates from this year’s applications.

The National Winners

1st Place: Chitelix

Led by Anis Ben Ghalia, Chitelix secured first place. The project focuses on valorizing waste from the blue crab, an invasive species that poses significant challenges along Tunisia’s coastlines. Chitelix transforms this waste into chitosane and sustainable biomaterials, which can be utilized in agriculture, water treatment, cosmetics, and industrial applications.

2nd Place: PigmentOCO

Founded by Amal Chebbi, PigmentOCO won second place, along with the National Women’s Prize. This category was launched last year in partnership with the UNDP and with financial support from Canada. The startup leverages supercritical CO2 and green chemistry to develop textile solutions with a reduced environmental impact.

3rd Place: HandiSuccess International

Directed by Nejah Cherif, HandiSuccess International placed third. The organization facilitates the professional integration of people with disabilities. Its platform, Handitalents, connects candidates with Tunisian companies while also assisting businesses in meeting their legal obligations regarding inclusive employment.

Heading to the International Phase

These three laureates will now represent Tunisia against the winners from the other 16 countries within Orange’s footprint in Africa and the Middle East, competing for the International Grand Prize.

These three profiles highlight the diversity of promising sectors for Tunisian investors: circular economy, textile greentech, and inclusive tech remain locally underdeveloped segments. In this context, the international support provided by POESAM is well-positioned to accelerate fundraising efforts and facilitate access to export markets.