Morocco’s Panafsat and Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a satellite communications system that will serve 26 African nations. This collaboration aims to provide high-throughput satellite services to a vast area covering 12 million square kilometers and a population of around 550 million people, with 23 of the countries being in French-speaking Africa.
The MoU was signed during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco, with key figures including Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, and Antoine Armand, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, in attendance.
Thales Alenia Space will build a high-performance, flexible satellite to deliver high-speed internet, accelerating Africa’s digital transformation. Once launched, the satellite will provide the connectivity needed for essential services, benefiting governments, businesses, and individuals while helping to bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Ahmed Toumi, CEO of Panafsat, emphasized that the project represents a crucial stage in Morocco’s digital transformation and will bring significant benefits to Africa. “This project will change the lives of millions, enabling access to the internet and essential services,” said Toumi. He also expressed excitement about partnering with Thales Alenia Space, whose expertise will be invaluable to the project’s success.
Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, expressed pride in the partnership, noting that the satellite will contribute to economic growth, and digital sovereignty, and bridge the digital divide in Africa, especially in rural areas. “We are honored to help Panafsat expand its services and deliver space solutions to benefit the entire continent,” Derrey said.
This satellite initiative aligns with broader digitalization efforts in Morocco, including the Digital Economy for Africa initiative and Morocco’s Digital 2030 strategy. The project also supports Morocco’s preparation for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
