• Eutelsat’s OneWeb launches a satellite ground station in Luanda-Bengo, Angola
• Station will connect low-Earth-orbit satellites to telecom infrastructure across the region
• Project supports digital inclusion in rural areas and Angola’s push to become a digital hub

French satellite operator Eutelsat, through its subsidiary OneWeb, has inaugurated a new ground station in Luanda-Bengo, Angola, as part of a long-term push to expand satellite connectivity across Africa. The announcement was made on Thursday, June 13, and marks the culmination of a four-year project in partnership with Angola’s Communications Authority (INACOM).

The ground station will act as a Satellite Network Portal, linking low-Earth-orbit satellites to terrestrial telecom infrastructure in southern Africa. It is designed to deliver high-bandwidth, low-latency internet access to remote and underserved communities. The site will enable Eutelsat OneWeb to provide B2B services for businesses, public agencies, and telecom operators.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to bridge the digital divide, this significant milestone will play a crucial role in supporting the priorities of inclusive economic growth and digital transformation,” the company stated.

The initiative aligns with Angola’s broader strategy to modernize its telecom infrastructure and position itself as a regional digital hub. Internet access remains unevenly distributed across the country. As of early 2025, Angola had 17.1 million internet users, with a national penetration rate of 44.8%, according to DataReportal.

Beyond Angola, the station adds to Eutelsat’s growing network of satellite gateways in Africa. Similar facilities are already operating in Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mauritius, with more planned. These stations form part of a larger plan to boost digital inclusion across the continent through next-generation satellite technology.

The Luanda-Bengo ground station is expected to support the digitization of essential public services, including education, health care, and government administration, particularly in areas where traditional infrastructure remains limited.