South Africa aims to launch its own satellite within 5 to 7 years, focusing on digital inclusion, education, and secure communication infrastructure.
The South African government is preparing to launch its own geostationary satellite, with a national satellite strategy set to be presented to cabinet ministers soon. Developed by the departments of communications & digital technologies and science, technology & innovation, the plan advocates for full government ownership and operation of the satellite rather than relying on private providers.
If all goes as planned, the satellite could be operational within five to seven years. Its primary goal is to bridge the country’s digital divide, particularly in remote and rural areas where traditional internet infrastructure is costly. According to Tinyiko Ngobeni, deputy director-general at the Department of Communications, the satellite could also enhance education, healthcare access, and reduce communication costs.
The strategy presents three options for acquiring satellite capacity. The fastest option is leasing services from a private provider, requiring no upfront investment. A joint venture with another entity could enable satellite deployment within three years while offering partial government control. However, the preferred approach—full government ownership—ensures data sovereignty and security, despite requiring the longest time to implement.
Major industry players, including telecom companies, have already expressed interest in utilizing the government’s satellite capacity once it is operational. However, a key challenge is the shortage of satellite expertise within the public sector. To address this, the government plans to collaborate with private sector partners who have the necessary skills to support the project’s development.
Funding remains another significant obstacle. While a portion of the cost will come from the national budget, it is unlikely to cover the full expense. As a result, the government is exploring public-private partnerships and debt financing to secure the necessary funds. Given past issues of corruption in large-scale government projects, there is also a strong emphasis on ensuring transparency throughout the process.
To accelerate the timeline, a dedicated team—including experts from the communications and science departments, Icasa, and Sentech—is working to reduce the projected five- to seven-year launch period. They are assessing how resources from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Sentech can be leveraged to fast-track the project. If successful, South Africa could soon launch its own satellite, taking a major step toward achieving digital independence.
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