• Tanzania, Botswana seek capacity on Angola’s AngoSat-2 satellite
• Kenya, DRC and Zambia also express interest
• Satellite seen key to narrowing Africa’s connectivity gap

Tanzania and Botswana have expressed interest in securing capacity on Angola’s AngoSat-2 telecommunications satellite to strengthen their national connectivity infrastructure, underscoring growing regional demand for the satellite’s services.

The two countries signaled their interest during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Shared Satellite Forum held in Dar es Salaam from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20, according to Angola’s National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN). They said they would conduct feasibility studies, take part in ANGOTIC 2026 and explore partnerships under regional space cooperation frameworks.

On Feb. 19, Kenya also said it intends to acquire capacity on AngoSat-2, particularly in the Ku-band for high-speed internet, mobile services and broadcasting. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia have likewise expressed interest.

Satellite seen as tool to narrow Africa’s connectivity gap

Commissioned in early 2023, AngoSat-2 is a high-throughput satellite positioned in geostationary orbit. It provides C-, Ku- and Ka-band services across Africa and parts of Europe, supporting broadband internet, television and telephony, including in areas without terrestrial networks.

In August 2023, Angola announced technical upgrades to extend access to SADC countries. At the forum, GGPEN presented its “Conecta Angola Comercial” project, outlining initial results and plans for regional expansion. Domestically, the initiative aims to provide free internet access in remote areas without mobile network coverage, targeting schools, hospitals and local administrations.

The growing interest comes as satellite technology gains traction as a way to reduce Africa’s digital divide. The GSMA says satellite connectivity will be critical to achieving universal access in sub-Saharan Africa.

The region includes some of the world’s most challenging terrain for terrestrial networks, including tropical forests, deserts and mountain ranges, according to the GSMA’s The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2024 report. Even in sparsely populated rural areas, the cost and logistical complexity of deploying conventional mobile or fixed networks strengthen the case for alternative solutions, it said.

Data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) show that about 25% of Africa’s population was not covered by 4G in 2025, compared with roughly 11% for 3G and 6% for 2G. The GSMA estimates the mobile internet coverage gap in Africa at 9%, while the ITU puts internet penetration on the continent at 35.7%.

Isaac K. Kassouwi