Yahsat to launch satellite services in South Sudan

Satellite communications company Yahsat has signed a new service partnership to launch mobility and data services in South Sudan.

UAE-based Yahsat's mobility arm, Thuraya Telecommunications Company, and its satellite broadband solutions provider, YahClick, will fulfill the partnership in cooperation with the South Sudanese startup Gate for Technologies (G4T).

The aim of the partnership is to provide several high-growth sectors in South Sudan with satellite-enabled connectivity solutions designed to serve specific requirements.

The launch of the services took place in Juba on Monday, in the presence of government officials from South Sudan.

Under the agreement, Thuraya's satellite technology will connect remote communities and support the government in its efforts to develop the nation's telecommunications infrastructure and enable e-government services.

Yahsat will also collaborate with humanitarian agencies based in the country by providing them with the essential connectivity to support underserved areas.

The South Sudan announcement adds to recent African space developments including news this week that Senegal plans to launch its first satellite, GAINDESAT, and Cameroon is conducting a feasibility study with plans to launch a space program.

Meanwhile, SpaceX's satellite Internet service, Starlink, has been expanding across Africa, and earlier in October 2023 added Zambia as its sixth African market.

Satellite to boost digital transformation in South Sudan

Yahsat said it has a successful track record of nearly two decades in Africa, and its decision to launch Thuraya's mobility services in South Sudan will help to accelerate its growth, development and digital transformation in response to increasing demand for connectivity solutions.

"The new service partner agreement with Gate for Technologies reinforces our strong commitment to South Sudan and the African continent. As the country seeks to rebuild critical sectors of the economy, consistent and reliable connectivity will increasingly play an integral role in furthering socio-economic development," said Yahsat CEO Ali Al Hashemi.

"We look forward to deepening our presence and expanding our offerings through this partnership with G4T," he added.

The satellite deal between Thuraya, YahClick and G4T will connect remote communities and support South Sudan's efforts to develop the nation's telecom infrastructure and enable e-government services. (Source: www.slon.pics on Freepik)

G4T's MD Nhial Deng Nhial said the partnership would help the growth and development of the nascent South Sudanese telecom sector and unlock opportunities to fast track the digital transformation of the whole nation.

The new service agreement will leverage G4T market presence and partnerships with government entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), mobile network operators (MNOs), telemedicine, education and oil and gas sectors, the startup said.

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Yahsat is a public company listed on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and offers multi-mission satellite services in more than 150 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and Australasia.

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*Top image source: vecstock on Freepik.

— Paula Gilbert, Editor, Connecting Africa