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Adds CEO quote in paragraph 3, context, details on results and dividend in 2, 6-7, 9-10

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Orange ORAN.PA, France's biggest telecoms operator, reported full-year earnings slightly ahead of expectations on Thursday, driven by solid performances in Europe, Africa and Middle East, coupled with higher pricing in a less dynamic market.

Telecom groups have raised prices of subscriptions to offset the impact of inflation amid a sluggish market in 2023 and persistently fierce competition.

"We have achieved all our financial targets for 2023. These results are a testament to our ability to execute and advance our major strategic projects," CEO Christel Heydemann said in a statement.

Orange's annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation after leases (EBITDAaL) rose 1.3% to 13.04 billion euros ($13.99 billion) on a comparable basis.

That beat analysts' forecast of 13 billion euros in a poll compiled by the company.

Core profit jumped 5.8% in Europe, driven by Orange's second-biggest market Spain that delivered year-on-year growth for the first time since 2018, while Africa and Middle East posted strong growth in both revenue at 11.4% and EBITDAaL at 12.7%, Heydemann said.

In its home market France, Orange saw a 3.6% drop in full-year EBITDAaL to 6.36 billion euros, though with an anticipated turnaround in the second half as the full effect of price increases implemented in the first half kicked in.

For 2024, the group expects low single-digit growth in core operating profit, with organic cash flow of at least 3.8 billion euros.

Orange will propose a dividend of 0.72 euros per share for 2023 during a shareholders' meeting to be held on May 22.

It also set a minimum dividend target of 0.75 euros per share for fiscal 2025.

($1 = 0.9319 euros)

(Reporting by Diana Mandiá in Gdansk; editing by Milla Nissi)

((diana.mandiaalvarez@thomsonreuters.com))

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