• Namibia is in talks with Angola to use the Angosat-2 satellite to expand telecom coverage, particularly in rural areas.
• The project could support Namibia’s goal of achieving 100% telecom coverage by 2030.
• Angosat-2, operational since 2023, already connects over 300,000 people across Africa and supports high-speed Internet, TV, and voice services.

Namibia’s government announced on October 13 that it is working with Angola to explore the use of the Angosat-2 satellite to improve national connectivity, especially in underserved regions with limited terrestrial infrastructure. The initiative is being led jointly by state-owned Telecom Namibia and Angola’s National Space Management Office (GGPEN).

In June 2025, both parties began discussions, reported by Space in Africa, on a proof of concept (PoC) to assess the satellite’s capacity to meet Namibia’s connectivity needs. The test aims to evaluate high-speed Internet for remote areas, strengthen Telecom Namibia’s backbone network, and develop cost-effective alternatives to terrestrial systems. The talks also explored the role of satellite technology in optimizing network expansion.

Launched in 2022 and commissioned in early 2023, Angosat-2 is a high-throughput (HTS) telecommunications satellite positioned in geostationary orbit. It provides C, Ku, and Ka-band services across the African continent and parts of Europe. The satellite delivers broadband Internet, television, and telephony services to areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

In August 2023, Angola announced technical upgrades to allow other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to access Angosat-2’s services. According to DataReportal, Angola’s number of Internet users rose from 11.78 million in January 2023 to 17.2 million by January 2025, with Angosat-2 contributing to an additional 300,000 connected users by October 2024.

The GSM Association (GSMA) said in its 2024 Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report that satellite connectivity will play a key role in achieving universal access across the region. “Sub-Saharan Africa includes some of the world’s most challenging terrains for terrestrial networks—rainforests, deserts, and mountain ranges,” the GSMA said. “Even in rural areas, the cost and complexity of deploying traditional networks make alternative solutions attractive.”

Namibia’s effort aligns with its 2030 universal telecom coverage target. In March 2025, the country launched its Universal Service Fund (USF), backed by 145 million Namibian dollars (about $8.3 million), to finance rural telecom expansion.

Despite progress, about 360,000 Namibians—roughly 12% of the population—remained outside 4G coverage as of February 2024, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The 3G network reached 89% of the population, while 2G already covered the entire territory. The digital gap also affects essential services, with 339 schools and 50 health centers still lacking adequate Internet access.

Negotiations between Namibia and Angola remain ongoing, and no formal agreements or projects have yet been announced. As of 2025, ITU data show Namibia’s Internet penetration rate at 62.2%.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum