Orange Refurbishes 164,000 Routers in 2025, Cutting Costs by €13 Million
Updated
Updated · wearetech.africa · Jul 17
Orange Refurbishes 164,000 Routers in 2025, Cutting Costs by €13 Million
1 articles · Updated · wearetech.africa · Jul 17
Summary
Orange Africa and Middle East refurbished 164,000 internet routers in 2025, up 43% from a year earlier under an expanded circular-economy push.
The program collected 209 tonnes of e-waste, recovered 354,000 devices and generated €13 million in savings by reusing network equipment and customer devices.
Orange said its model collects, diagnoses, refurbishes and only then recycles unusable equipment, with refurbished devices resold at lower prices to widen access and reduce raw-material demand.
Local units are already scaling the effort: Morocco refurbished 6,000 routers for €1.5 million in savings, Burkina Faso collected 33 tonnes of mobile equipment, and Egypt opened a refurbishment facility with UNIDO.
The expansion targets a regional waste gap as Africa generated about 3 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022 but officially collected and recycled less than 1%.
Can corporate recycling solve Africa's e-waste crisis, or is it a drop in a 3-million-tonne ocean?
Are cheaper refurbished devices truly bridging the digital divide or creating a new form of technological dependency for consumers?
How will Africa's green transition create millions of jobs if only 6.5% of its youth have the necessary technical training?
Orange's Circular Economy in Action: 284,000 Devices Refurbished in 2024 and 10% Refurbished Smartphone Sales Target for 2025
Overview
Orange is driving a robust circular economy strategy by expanding refurbishment initiatives across its operations. By extending the lifespan of existing equipment through refurbishment, Orange reduces the demand for new manufacturing, which conserves resources and cuts waste. This approach not only lowers the company’s environmental footprint but also makes digital technologies more affordable and accessible for customers. Through these efforts, Orange supports increased device recovery and responsible e-waste management, contributing to a broader circular economy. Ultimately, Orange’s commitment to sustainability fosters more circular technology use and promotes both environmental stewardship and digital inclusion.