FEATURE: SATELLITE NETWORKS
Gwenael Loheac, Partner and Chief Procurement Officer, President Europe and West Africa, IEC Telecom Group to acknowledge alerts and receive mission updates without delay.
At AidEx, Europe’ s leading humanitarian exhibition, IEC Telecom showcased its comprehensive safety ecosystem: advanced tracking through the Gramin GPS range and group management via the Traksat platform – together providing a reliable, connected framework for safer and more co-ordinated operations.
How do you see partnerships between the public and private sectors accelerating digital inclusion through satellite technology?
Satellite communication is a powerful example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors can help close the digital divide between urban centres and remote regions. By combining governmental initiatives with private-sector expertise, advanced connectivity can reach areas where terrestrial networks are limited or non-existent. Through satcom
infrastructure, authorities can deliver e-learning, telemedicine and digital-government programmes nationwide. Importantly, each connected site – such as a rural school, clinic, or local administration office – can serve as a connectivity hub for the surrounding community, providing visitors with access to e-government services, public grant portals, and other essential online resources. This approach ensures that even the most isolated populations can participate in the digital ecosystem and benefit from national development programmes.
Looking ahead, what innovations do you expect to define the next phase of Africa’ s satellite communications landscape?
I believe the future of connectivity in Africa is connected to the rise of LEO networks. Satcom operators are now working closely with national governments to obtain licensing and accelerate penetration across the continent. By 2025, Starlink services are available in more than 20 African countries, with many more expected to join the list in 2026. These new-generation networks are not only high-performing but also cost-effective – a decisive advantage for the costconscious African market. This new leap in satellite communications will open the door to a major phase of digital transformation, where even the most remote communities will gain access to reliable, high-speed connectivity and become part of the continent’ s expanding digital economy. p
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