Members News

Three start-ups won in the third local edition and the ninth global edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP).The jury of the prize evaluated the projects of seven companies that were qualified to the final stages, choosing winners of the first three places.  This came after the participants presented their innovative projects in front of a special committee that evaluated these projects with high accuracy. The names of these companies will be announced next month.

According to Orange Jordan, the three winning companies will receive a cash prize of JD 4,000 for the first winner, JD 3,000 for the winner coming in second place, and 2,000 JD for the winner of the third place. Winners will also have the opportunity to participate in the international version of the prize, which will be held in November, in South Africa, where this competition represents an opportunity for them to compete for one of its prizes which amount to 25,000, 15,000, and 10,000 Euros for the three prizes.

Orange Jordan opened the registration to participate in OSVP from March to September, targeting projects that offer innovative solutions that respond to the needs of community in different areas such as health, agriculture, education, energy, commerce and industry.

Due to the importance of the prize a  jury with expertise in entrepreneurship has been formed and consisted of: Chief Executive Officer of Abd Al Hamid Shoman Foundation, Valentina Kassisieh, Deputy Executive Director at The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), Mohammad Al-Amoush, CEO at Information and Communications Technology Association – Jordan (Int@j), Eng. Nidal Bitar, Director of Strategy & Partnerships at Crown Prince Foundation, Mais AlDaoud, pioneer Fida Taher and PR, CSR, and Corporate Communication Director at Orange Jordan, Rana Al Dababneh..

This prize falls in line with is in line with Orange Jordan’s CSR plan, through which the company aims to capitalize on and invest in the talents of the local community, especially young entrepreneurs, whom the company keen to support through providing training programs, financial support and professional expertise, in order to help them turn their ideas into real projects on ground, contributing to the development of the local community and advancing the overall development of the Kingdom.

Oromia International Bank, a decade-old private commercial bank, has gone live with an advanced core banking solution.

ICS Financial System (ICSFS), a company from the United Kingdom, developed the system that works for interest-free, corporate internet, retail and mobile banking services. The system was fully implemented last month after the duo signed the agreement two years ago.

ICSFS secured the project after vying with seven other companies. FLEXCUBE and ICSFS both passed the technical evaluation and demonstration stages.

After discussing the proposed systems by the two companies with foreign banks that have already implemented their systems, OIB decided to procure the solution developed by ICSFS, according to Wolde Bulto, Vice President of Oromia International Bank, which has 32.1 billion Br in assets and 2.4 billion Br in paid-up capital. To get training on how to use the system, 40 staff members of the bank traveled to Asia and Europe. The bank officials also traveled to Nigeria and Lebanon, where the same system is being used, checking on how those banks are managing the system.

CBS Solution, that was developed by Indian technology firm Infrasoft Technologies Ltd. The old system was developed five Years age.

“It was implemented when the Bank had a relatively low level of transactions compared to recent times,” according to Wolde.

Currently, the Bank has around 1.5 million active customers and 267 branches across the country.

The old system took two to three hours to process end-of-day transactions, and the new system reduced this to less than 30 minutes. The monthly closing process, which required spending a night, is now done in 45 minutes using the new system.

The software suite future-proof banking activities by providing a broad range of features and capabilities with more agility and flexibility, to enrich customer experience, according to a statement from ICSFS, a company that was established in 2004 and provides business and technology solutions for financial institutions.

The new system also upgrades the Bank’s interest-free banking software. The solution is designed and developed in line with the principles of Shari’ah law in compliance with the accounting and auditing procedures of Islamic financial institutions.

Oromia International Bank, which operates with 5,000 employees, is one of the first private banks that launched interest-free banking window service in Ethiopia.

The Bank also launched several electronic banking initiatives, such as a bank card called Oro-Card (ATM and PoS), a mobile banking solution dubbed Oro-Cash, an agent banking project called Oro Agent, and an internet banking programme called Oro-Click.

Commencing operations in 2008 with subscribed and paid-up capital of 279.2 million Br and 91.2 million Br, respectively, the Bank has mobilised 26.5 billion Br in deposits in the recently ended fiscal year. It also disbursed 17.4 billion Br worth of loans and advances.

Tsega Tibebu, a PhD candidate and a lecturer at Bahir Dar University’s College of Business and Economics, commented that the system upgrade at the Bank will play an immense role in letting it control fraud and illegal money movements.

“It will also ease the transaction process and save time,” he said.

ICS Financial Systems Limited (ICSFS), the global software and services provider for banks and financial institutions, and Oromia International Bank S.C (OIB), one of the most profitable banks in Ethiopia , announce the successful implementation and go-live of ICS BANKS Universal Banking and ICS BANKS Interest Free Banking (IFB)software suites, to provide OIB customers with conventional and interest free banking services at 264 physical branches having IFB and Conventional banking services in each branch  across the country.

OIB is one of the most influential and popular private banks in Ethiopia and also known for pioneering Interest free banking window services. OIB replaced its legacy system with full-fledged IFB & Conventional services from ICS BANKS Universal Banking and ICS BANKS IFB software suites, including part of ICS BANKS Digital Banking products to indulge their customers with a true omnichannel experience. The implementation project took the Big Bang approach for 264 branches; where each physical branch consists of IFB and Conventional window services. OIB went live during July 2019, showcasing record breaking of less than 30 minutes end-of-day processing (EOD) duration in Ethiopia.

Abie Sano, OIB President, stated: “The Ethiopian banking industry is flourishing, especially in the interest-free banking sector. OIB is one of the most influential banks in Ethiopia, as we have around 2 million customers from corporate to individual, and from baby boomers to millennials. ICSFS’ products and services work hand-in-hand with our philosophy and approach; to work on full-speed to offer our variety of customers a successful journey, especially as we are diving into a frictionless future. Thanks to ICSFS’ true comprehensive offering, we are now capable on servicing each customer with their specific needs and demands. We are very excited to start our own journey with ICSFS.”

Robert Hazboun, Managing Director at ICSFS, said: “We are happy with the outcome of this project, as with no room of doubt, the successful go-live of ICS BANKS at OIB is considered one of the most seamless implementations in the Ethiopian banking industry. This milestone proved again ICS BANKS efficiency, resiliency and high tolerance to infrastructure challenges of all kinds, while still providing the highest levels of performance with minimal infrastructure requirements. The implementation revealed vital performance gain that substantially enhanced the bank’s customer experience compared to the former legacy system. The success demonstrates ICS BANKS solid and agile architecture and ICSFS’s futuristic approach in utilising the latest innovative technologies to surpass the demands of any bank, of any size.”

ICSFS invests in its software suites by utilising modern technology in launching new products, constructing a secured and agile integration, and keeping pace with new standards and regulations worldwide. ICS BANKS ISLAMIC is a modular fully integrated solution designed and developed following the principles of Shari’a in compliance with the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).ICS BANKS software suite future-proof banking activities by providing a broad range of features and capabilities with more agility and flexibility, to enrich customers journey experience, hence improving the trust and confidentiality between the customer and the bank. ICS BANKS has always been a pioneer in utilising the latest technology to serve financial institutions. In addition to its embedded Service-Oriented-Architecture (SOA), the system can be deployed on premises or on cloud.

With disruptive fintech firms becoming a more pervasive fixture in the financial landscape, many traditional institutions are struggling to remain competitive. It’s here that digital solutions providers such as ICS Financial Systems (ICSFS) come in, helping banks to bolster their technological capabilities and maintain their market share.

ICSFS’s Digital Banking software platform, ICS BANKS, is a universal application that is available on the cloud, and helps banks to automate and streamline business operations. Its rich functionality, which includes features with more agility and flexibility, such as AI, open banking, and omnichannel digital banking touchpoints, also allows clients to create a more fruitful customer experience.

Thanks to its state-of-the-art product offering, ICSFS has been named as the winner of World Finance’s Best Banking and Financial Software Solutions Award 2019.

“The global recognition conferred upon ICSFS owes to its record of accomplishment among its clients, advanced technology, innovative universal banking system and vast market presence,” said Mustafa Belkouche, Media Sales Executive at World Finance.

ICSFS currently serves all business areas of financial services sectors through its many software suites packages. These include AI, open banking and blockchain-based solutions for both Conventional and Shariah compliant banks across three continents.

Robert Hazboun, Managing Director at ICSFS, said: “We are delighted to have World Finance recognise our innovative and revolutionised software solutions.”

He added: “we have positioned ourselves as one of the leaders in innovation especially in the digital banking software solutions industry, where we have received local, international and global recognitions that have set our footprints in this digital age.”

Technology’s role in financial services is only set to expand in coming years, making ICSFS’ solutions all the more crucial. By partnering with an experienced yet innovative solutions provider, institutions can ensure they remain technologically proficient to provide their customers with the security and customer service they expect.

To find out more about ICSFS, check out an exclusive interview with Executive Director Wael Malkawi in the latest edition of World Finance, available in print, online and on tablet now.

The Royal Court Chief, His Excellency Yousef Hassan Al Issawi and in the attendance of the Minister of Youth and Culture Dr. Muhammad Abu Romman, patronized the ceremony that was held to announce the digital centers initiative, launched by the Ministry of Youth in partnership with Orange Jordan. Al Issawi inaugurated Young Arda Women Center in Al-Balqa’a governorate, which took place at the same time as the inauguration of two new digital centers in the areas of Kufranja and Aqaba.

These centers are located in the northern, central and southern regions and were created within the framework of the agreement that was signed between the Ministry of Youth and the company. Orange Jordan rehabilitated the Youth Digital Centers in Ajloun and Aqaba, in addition to Young Arda Women Centers in Al-Balqa’a governorate, which was created under a Royal Decree in 2008, with the aim of serving young women living in that area, while meeting their ambitions, and enhancing their role in serving the local community.

Orange Jordan has provided these centers with state-of-the-art digital equipment and internet services, as well as training of the trainers who are responsible for providing young people with a set of new skills on key topics that include; communication and digital skills, team building, leadership, and entrepreneurship, in order to provide young participants at these centers with integrated services, which will reflect positively on their local communities.

CEO of Orange Jordan, Thierry Marigny, said that these three new centers have joined the others, which were launched across governorates in the Kingdom, under the umbrella of the Orange Digital Centers, reaching 13 centers. He also stressed the company’s role in preparing young people for a better future, in a step that aims to bridge the digital divide across the Kingdom, in order to help community members become active and productive through providing them with knowledge tools and developing their skills in order to enable them to deal with the continuous development in the IT sector and harness them to develop ideas and projects that serve their local environment.

Marigny said that the Orange Digital Centers are a successful model that was implemented by the company, and comes as an addition to its various achievements in supporting this important community segment, which is considered as a cornerstone in the digital economy. It also reflects the role of Orange Jordan as a digital partner for many initiatives, considering that it is the strongest internet provider in the Kingdom.

Marigny affirmed the importance of the partnership with the Ministry of Youth, and said that it was the helping element that gives support to the youth centers across different areas of the Kingdom, where the company gives great attention to the youth, through providing them with support in their communities.

He added that the renovated centers are considered part of the other initiatives launched by the company, becoming a main pillar in the digital transformation process of the Kingdom, and an active contributor in enabling the youth to benefit from technology so that they can use it for developing their local communities, pointing out that the company works continuously to support such centers with all that is necessary for their success.

Orange Jordan aims through its partnerships with various national companies to provide the best technological tools that meet the citizen’s expectations in all areas, in addition to the most modern educational tools based on digital learning methods, in order to contribute to bridging the digital divide in the Jordanian society.

Under the patronage of Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, H.E. Eng. Mothanna Gharaibeh, Orange Jordan inaugurated on Thursday, June 27 its Coding Academy, in the attendance of the Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, H.E. Dr. Walid Maani, Chief Commissioner at Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Dr. Ghazi Jbour, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orange Jordan/Jordan Telecom Group, Dr. Shabib Ammari, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Jordan, Thierry Marigny, in addition to representatives of a number of local companies in various economic sectors and the media.

During the opening ceremony, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, H.E. Eng. Mothanna Gharaibeh stressed on the importance of having coding academies aimed at developing the digital skills of youth in Jordan.

Al-Gharaibeh pointed out that the government is working on a number of programs to qualify trainees to deal efficiently with the requirements of the digital economy and leadership, in addition to providing them with the skills of the 21^st century and coding.

Al-Gharaibeh also thanked Orange Jordan for establishing the Academy, which enables us to keep up with the rapid technological developments and the fourth industrial revolution.

From his side, Marigny showcased the stages of establishing the Coding Academy, saying that: “It was the first Academy of its kind inaugurated by Orange Group in the Middle East, and was launched in partnership with Simplon.Co. He expected that the Academy will achieve the same success as the other coding academies that were launched by the Group in Senegal and France”.

In terms of the objectives of the new Academy, Marigny affirmed that the free and intensive training courses offered in coding languages to its participants, will contribute in making the concept of  “training for employment” a reality, as it serves two main dimensions; the first being related to the business sector, where employment standards have changed significantly in terms of job acceptance, and  now, it depends on the scientific and professional qualifications that are directly related to diversified technology. As for the second dimension, it is related to training and qualifying the Jordanian youth in order to enable them to find job opportunities that are currently in demand in the labor market, pointing out that the Academy’s training and preparations aim to achieve and serve job seekers and companies.

Marigny also pointed out that information technology, including coding languages plays an important role in the national economy. This is evident in the estimates, which confirms that job growth in the technology sector is increasing annually, supporting the shift towards digital economy at a steady pace, supported by the qualifications required to achieve this.

He also pointed out that the focus of the Academy on coding languages came due to being  an important skill required in the local and external labor market in light of the growing global demand for qualified software developers, pointing out that this motivated the company to establish the Academy, especially that job opportunities may arise in Jordan as a result of this development and will reach 10,000 jobs during the next five years.

From his side, Hénique stressed on the importance of this Academy and the role it plays in rehabilitating and training youth and enhancing their skills, expecting that the inauguration of this Academy will facilitate the way for youth to be employed in the ICT sector, and contribute in their involvement in the overall development process in the Kingdom.

He also discussed the important and vital role played by Orange Jordan as a local telecommunications company in the development of the spirit of a global digital system in the Kingdom, and its efforts to reduce the digital divide between local communities.

He also stressed on the importance of Orange Jordan’s ongoing efforts in implementing its corporate social responsibility plan, inspired by Orange Group’s strategy, where the company works continuously to launch initiatives that would move Jordanians towards the new digital era and integrate them into the digital revolution that the world is witnessing today.

.The Coding Academy plans to provide a wide range of opportunities for youth, with or without a degree, to receive coding skills, with a focus on Java and Python coding languages, as they are highly demanded by companies, with confidence that the Academy will offer students the opportunity to learn how to find solutions in the real world.

It is worth mentioning that 50 young people, between the ages of 18 and 30 were officially selected to be part of the first batch at the Academy, where they will be integrated in an intensive, free training program for a duration of six months, followed by a one-month training in a company operating in the Kingdom, in order to contribute to accelerating their involvement in the labor market in the technology sector.

Abdullatif Alissa Group Holding Company is a diversified conglomerate that engages in real estate, automobiles, trading, finance, investments, building materials, private equity, consumer finance, manufacturing, construction, and other services. The company also operates as an authorized dealer for Isuzu Motors in Saudi Arabia, offering commercial transportation solutions, spare parts, and after-sales services in the central region and Saudi Isuzu market.

Alissa Group recently adopted TeleFinity Contact Center with ApeiroSys CRM, Ticketing, Workflow, and ERP platform to provide exceptional services to their customers. This will help them manage customer interactions, to close more deals, and turn opportunities into solid business contracts.

The first adaptation, ApeiroCRM, enables their marketing and sales team to focus on selling to more members of their target audience by equipping their employees with the right tools that provide comprehensive information about the process.

Their new TeleFinity Contact Center (which replaced their old Geneses call center) features an inbound, outbound and blended multi-channel Contact Center they can use to prioritize and manage their calls.

Orange Jordan recently sponsored a workshop organized by iSystem company for people with visual disabilities, with the participation of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD).

During the workshop, participants were trained on using the built-in iOS features in Apple products, in addition to presenting the latest applications that will help them perform many of their daily tasks.

The sponsorship of the workshop came as a result of the special attention Orange Jordan pays to people with disabilities, placing their needs as one of its top priorities, as the company believes in the role they play in the local community and their contribution in its growth and development.

The company affirmed integrating people with disabilities in the local communities they live in, which can only be achieved through keeping them constantly connected to the people around them to run their business and realize their interests.

Orange Jordan said that it will continue supporting all activities related to facilitating the lives of its customers, to keep them connected to all that is essential to them, and seeks to bridge the digital divide between members of society, and maximizing the benefits of modern technology to the largest possible segment.