• Senegal hosts regional satellite regulation training session
• Over 20 countries discuss rural connectivity, frameworks
• Africa faces 6% rural internet access rate

Senegal hosted a regional training session on satellite regulation from Feb. 9-12, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Bank Group and Smart Africa, in partnership with the country’s Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority. More than 20 French-speaking sub-Saharan African countries took part.

The sessions focused on how satellite connectivity can expand internet access in rural and remote areas. Participants reviewed the regulatory and technical requirements for integrating satellite services into national telecom networks while ensuring security and interoperability. They also discussed business models for satellite operators and public-private financing mechanisms to support digital inclusion.

For Smart Africa, the initiative has a dual objective: strengthening regulatory capacity and promoting more equitable connectivity across the continent. “This initiative helps narrow the digital divide by expanding access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities, and by connecting isolated communities to the rest of the world,” the organization said, describing the programme as another step toward inclusive connectivity that benefits communities.

The event takes place as Africa continues to face a wide digital divide. Only 6% of rural areas have internet access, largely because of limited incentives for private investment, according to the African Development Bank. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest internet penetration rate globally, with about 40% of the population online, according to the ITU.

As digital transformation increasingly drives economic growth, extending connectivity to underserved areas has become critical to digital inclusion. Satellite services offer a complementary solution to terrestrial networks, particularly in sparsely populated regions. Developing effective and regionally aligned regulatory frameworks is therefore a strategic priority to attract investment, secure deployments and expand access to digital services across the continent.

Samira Njoya