(Ecofin Agency) - • Satellite project by Orange Mali and Intelsat brings Internet to over 360,000 people
• Over 60 sites launched since 2022 in remote areas with upgraded capacity of 5 Gbps
• Effort supports digital inclusion, local business growth, and rural women’s empowerment

More than 360,000 people living in rural parts of Mali now have access to the Internet, thanks to a satellite connectivity project led by Orange Mali in partnership with Intelsat, a U.S.-based satellite communications provider. The update was shared in a statement released on May 5.

Launched in 2022, the project has rolled out over 60 sites across about 30 remote communities. The network’s satellite capacity was boosted significantly, from just 200 Mbps to over 5 Gbps, helping close digital gaps in hard-to-reach areas.

Faced with the challenges of Mali’s vast landscape, poor road infrastructure, and ongoing security issues, the partners turned to a satellite-based solution to expand 3G and 4G coverage in places that previously had none. The system relies on IS-23 and IS-10-02 satellites and is backed by centralized maintenance to ensure stable, reliable service.

According to Intelsat, this marks the first successful deployment of a 4G network powered by satellite in French-speaking West Africa. The new connectivity has had a real impact: it has helped some displaced residents return to their communities, supported local economic activity, and played a role in empowering rural women through improved access to information, funding, and markets.

Encouraged by these results, Orange Mali plans to launch tailored offers for local businesses as part of its broader strategy to accelerate Mali’s digital transformation.

The timing is critical. Mali still faces major gaps in digital access. As of January 2025, Internet penetration in the country stood at just 35.1%, or 8.72 million users, according to DataReportal.

At the national level, the government is also stepping up efforts. Mali’s Universal Access Fund Management Agency (AGEFAU) has announced a planned CFA43.35 billion investment, about $74.6 million, this year to improve public access to telecommunications services. The funding was confirmed during the agency’s 9th board meeting.