Vivendi

The Maroc Telecom group, which is present in several African countries, is determined to contribute to the development of these territories via its subsidiaries.

Onatel, Mauritel and Gabon Telecom/Libertis, three subsidiaries of Maroc Telecom, contribute to the human, social, and economic development of the countries in which they operate – respectively Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Gabon. In addition to actions in favour of health, such as the program to fight AIDS being conducted by Onatel in Burkina Faso, this contribution to territorial development also includes programs to transfer and develop employee skills, strengthen the local economy, and reduce the digital divide.

• Training programs
  In 2008, 34% of Onatel’s employees received training. Mauritel was in the process of setting up a training plan focused on skills development for the sales force and management, as well as training in accounting, computers, and purchasing for a total of 234 employees. In Gabon, 29 training programs were conducted, including technical and IT training, in which Maroc Telecom employees participated under the internal services and skills commitment contract.

• Direct and indirect job creation
  The three subsidiaries also contribute to the development and consolidation of the local economic fabric by enabling the creation of many indirect jobs. In 2008 in Burkina Faso, approximately 27,000 indirect jobs were associated with the 13,647 telecentres created, 600 in the 150 cyber-cafés, and 700 with the 120 distributors and wholesalers. In Mauritania, an estimated 1,000 jobs for resellers were created thanks to the large distribution network there. In Gabon, a specific program for facilitating access to approved-reseller positions for youth enabled approximately 200 new resellers to join the group, which now comprises 500 approved resellers (with a goal of 1,000 resellers set for the end of 2009). This contribution is also seen in the purchasing choices the subsidiaries make. 55% of Onatel’s purchases are made from local suppliers; Mauritel devotes 35% of its purchases to them; and Gabon Telecom and Libertis, respectively, make 70% and 60% of their purchases from local suppliers.

• Contributions to reducing the digital divide
  Also inherent in development is reducing the "digital gap" (see our specific indicators). Maroc Telecom is highly involved in the PACTE universal service program. This initiative is also relayed in Burkina Faso by Onatel, which has deployed an investment program for the period 2007-2010 that will connect 150 rural population centres and provide Internet access to all villages located within a radius of 15 km. By year-end 2008, the company had already covered 42 rural localities and nine urban ones. Mauritel also contributes to ending the isolation of rural communities by participating in the national development strategy – for example, investing 414 million dirhams in 2008 to deploy 500 km of fiber-optic cable between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, directly affecting more than 1,030,000 inhabitants and taking in 10 highways, 16 cities, and more than 18 rural localities.