African space chief urges continent-wide collaboration on satellite internet

The Chairman of the African Space Agency Council, Tidiane Ouattara has called for unified action on next-generation satellite internet technologies. Addressing telecommunications regulators from across the continent at the FRATEL 2025 seminar held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the space leader framed low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as non-negotiable infrastructure for Africa's digital future. 

"Africa cannot afford to be a spectator in the LEO revolution," declared Dr. Ouattara during the high-level gathering hosted by Côte d'Ivoire's telecommunications regulator. His intervention highlighted the paradox of satellite constellations like Starlink offering unprecedented connectivity while operating under regulatory frameworks designed for legacy systems. The solution, he argued, lies in continent-wide coordination to modernize policies governing spectrum allocation, cybersecurity protocols, and data sovereignty safeguards. 

The African Space Agency's vision positions LEO satellites as critical infrastructure for bridging rural connectivity gaps and democratizing high-speed internet access. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites, LEO constellations promise lower latency and competitive pricing  advantages that could transform education, healthcare, and commerce in underserved regions. However, Dr. Ouattara emphasized that realizing this potential requires proactive engagement between governments and private operators to establish mutually beneficial operating frameworks. 

This strategic appeal comes as multiple African nations grapple with balancing technological openness with regulatory control. The Space Agency president's message cut through these complexities with a simple directive: African regulators must transition from reactive policymaking to collaborative design of next-generation digital infrastructure. His remarks received strong endorsement from FRATEL participants, including host organization ARTCI, who recognized the urgency of harmonizing continental approaches to emerging space technologies. 

The Abidjan discussions mark a turning point in Africa's digital sovereignty narrative – one where space-based solutions move from theoretical potential to actionable strategy. As the seminar concluded, Dr. Ouattara's challenge lingered: Will African nations fragment into isolated regulatory silos, or unite to harness LEO satellites as engines of inclusive growth? The answer may well determine whether the continent leads or follows in the coming decade of global digital transformation.

By: Nana Appiah Acquaye