PARIS (Reuters), Orange France, France’s most important telecoms operator reported a 1% rise in its core operating profit for the first quarter. The company said that Orange saw strong growth from Africa and Middle-East and offset any further sales declines in Spain or its homeland.

For the March 31 quarter, earnings before interest, tax and depreciation (EBITDaL), rose to 2.62 Billion euros ($2.81Billion). It was consistent with 13 analysts’ estimates.

Revenues rose 0.7% to 10.6 Billion Euros

Orange maintained all of its 2022 full-year targets, which included a 2.5% growth in core operating profits and a 3% increase in total profit.

The company also reiterated its goal of generating organic cash flows from telecom operations of at least 3.55 billion euro next year.

($1 = 0.9325 euros)