Namibia Explores Partnership on AngoSat-2 To Boost Connectivity
Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has expressed its intention to explore a partnership with the Angolan government through AngoSat-2, the national communications satellite. The collaboration aims to assess the potential of satellite-based connectivity to enhance access to voice and internet services, particularly in Namibia’s remote regions, where terrestrial infrastructure remains limited. The initiative is being jointly spearheaded by Telecom Namibia and Angola’s National Space Management Office (GGPEN).
Speaking during an interministerial call between the two countries, Namibia’s Minister of ICT, Emma Theofelus, noted that strengthening this partnership would broaden the country’s communication options. Furthermore, she added that the collaboration would also help position space technology as a more active contributor to Namibia’s national development agenda.
This recent development builds on earlier discussions between GGPEN and Telecom Namibia, held in Luanda, Angola, in June 2025. The high-level meeting centred on harnessing AngoSat-2’s capabilities to enhance connectivity across Namibia and explore potential collaborations in satellite technology and Earth observation. Both parties also agreed to initiate a Proof of Concept (PoC) to assess the satellite’s suitability for Namibia’s connectivity requirements. The PoC will evaluate broadband internet delivery in remote areas, backhaul solutions to strengthen Telecom Namibia’s network infrastructure, and cost-effective alternatives to existing terrestrial systems.
Angola’s Drive to Commercialise AngoSat-2
Following the successful launch and commissioning of AngoSat-2, Angola has taken decisive steps to position the satellite as a commercial and strategic asset within the region. Through the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS), and under Presidential Dispatch No. 11/23, the government formally authorised the commercialisation of satellite services, transforming AngoSat-2 from a purely national infrastructure project into a regional connectivity platform. Under the approved revenue framework managed by GGPEN, 50% of income supports the National Space Programme, 40% goes to the national treasury, and 10% contributes to a social fund for communications workers.
Technically, the satellite operates across C, Ku and Ka bands, offering high-throughput capacity for broadband, broadcasting, and backhaul services across Africa and parts of Europe. The C-band is already fully commercialised, reflecting strong demand from regional operators seeking reliable, wide-coverage capacity. With a 15-year operational lifespan, AngoSat-2 represents both a technological milestone and a revenue-generating mechanism designed to establish Angola as a regional provider of affordable satellite connectivity solutions.
Angola’s Regional Vision for AngoSat-2
Furthermore, the government has positioned the satellite as a regional asset capable of serving the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC). Speaking at the 43rd SADC Heads of State Summit in Luanda, Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, Mário Oliveira, underscored that several SADC member states have expressed interest in accessing AngoSat-2’s services as part of efforts to strengthen digital connectivity across the region.
Among these are Zambia, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which have also indicated formal interest in utilising AngoSat-2’s capabilities. Additionally, through an MoU signed in July 2025 with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), South Africa also expressed interest in utilising AngoSat-2’s capabilities. In addition, In 2024, South Africa’s national telecommunications company, SENTECH, initiated technical testing with GGPEN to assess the potential use of AngoSat-2 for television and digital content distribution.
These developments reflect Angola’s ambition to transform its satellite into a regional communications hub, supporting both public and commercial connectivity initiatives across southern Africa.