• P1 million sponsorship annually for the next three years
• Power of sports to move economies and transform lives

by Tebogo Nadisah

Selebi-Phikwe just got a major lifeline. Orange Botswana (OBW) has announced a game-changing P1 million sponsorship annually for the next three years to power the Phikwe National Marathon, with the goal of reviving the town’s economy and positioning it as a sports tourism hub.

This bold commitment will inject P3 million into the marathon from 2025 to 2027, making it one of the most heavily backed sporting events in Botswana.

“This is bigger than a race; it’s about jobs, tourism, and putting Selebi-Phikwe back on the map,” said Orange Botswana CEO Néné Maïga at the launch event. “We’re investing P1 million a year because we believe in the power of sports to move economies and transform lives.”

Since the closure of the BCL Mine, Selebi-Phikwe has been fighting to reinvent itself. The marathon first backed by Orange Botswana in 2016 has grown into a key economic driver, drawing thousands of runners and fans from across the country and beyond.

With this fresh injection, the marathon is set to scale new heights, bigger prizes, better logistics, more volunteers, and next-level visibility through OBW’s cutting-edge digital platforms. Expect live race tracking, social media takeovers, and a serious push to position Selebi-Phikwe as a must-visit destination.

“Every runner brings business. Every spectator supports a vendor. Every cheer echoes growth,” added Maïga. “We’re proud to back this event not just with money, but with purpose.”

“At Orange Botswana, we see sports as a powerful development tool that builds character, drives discipline, and opens doors for young talent. This marathon is a launchpad for the next generation of champions,” Maïga emphasized.

The 2025 edition, slated for August, promises to be the most ambitious yet. Organizers are gearing up for record participation, enhanced infrastructure, and vibrant community engagement.

The Selebi-Phikwe Town Council and Local Organising Committee hailed the deal as a “turning point” for the town.

With this renewed backing, Orange Botswana is doubling down on its belief that sports tourism is the next frontier for economic development in Botswana and the Phikwe Marathon is leading the charge.

About Orange

Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 127,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 71,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 291 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 253 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries).

Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan “Lead the Future”, built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. “Lead the Future” capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange’s leadership in service quality.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA).

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