Moroccan Panafsat company is set to deploy a satellite communications system aimed at Africa, with support from Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture formed by the French Thales Group and the Italian Leonardo Corporation. The announcement was made during a meeting in Rabat on Tuesday between Moroccan-French businessmen, coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco from October 28 to 30.
The Moroccan satellite communications project aims to provide very-high-throughput services (VHTS) to 26 African countries, 23 of which are in French-speaking Africa. The initiative will cover a combined population of approximately 550 million people across an area of 12 million square kilometers.
Thales Alenia Space will develop a high-performance flexible satellite for Panafsat. Once launched into orbit, the satellite will deliver high-speed internet, thereby accelerating the transformation of Africa’s digital landscape. This connectivity is expected to facilitate high value-added services for governments, businesses, and individuals, helping to bridge the digital divide in rural and isolated communities.
Ahmed Toumi, CEO of Panafsat, stated, “This project marks the next critical stage in the digital transformation process and the development of a digital economy in Morocco and across Africa as a whole. It will change the lives of millions of Africans eager to access the internet and essential services.”
Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, expressed pride in being selected by Panafsat to deliver the new geostationary telecommunications satellite. He noted that the project would significantly contribute to closing the digital divide in rural areas, boost economic growth, and strengthen digital sovereignty across the African continent. “We are honored to embark on this long-term partnership with Africa’s foremost private operator, helping it expand its capabilities and develop space services for the benefit of the entire continent,” he added.