Intelsat Partners with Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative to Enhance Educational Access in East Africa
Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, today announced a transformative partnership with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), the nonprofit organisation founded by Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian Forest Whitaker. This collaboration aims to revolutionise education in conflict-affected regions of Africa by delivering high-speed internet connectivity to WPDI’s Community Learning Centres in South Sudan and Uganda for the first time. The initiative will establish digital pathways to education for thousands of young people in areas where infrastructure has been severely limited or disrupted.
Under this three-year agreement, Intelsat will equip 10 centres, seven in South Sudan and three in Uganda, with satellite connectivity, providing essential equipment, managed services, installation, and ongoing technical support. This pioneering effort will bring reliable internet access to underserved communities, overcoming the barriers of inadequate traditional infrastructure and enabling modern online learning opportunities.
Education as a Catalyst for Peace
“Education is the cornerstone of peace,” said Forest Whitaker, Founder and CEO of WPDI. “Through technology, we can open doors to opportunity, empowering young people whose lives have been upended by violence and political unrest. With the right resources, these youths can transform their futures and become leaders of positive change in their communities.”
The initiative addresses a pressing global challenge: the widening digital divide. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 19% of individuals in the least developed nations, including South Sudan and Uganda, have internet access. In conflict zones, connectivity rates are even lower, exacerbating disparities in education and economic opportunity. Intelsat and WPDI are equipping trainees with the tools to drive sustainable development by enhancing digital access. Graduates of WPDI’s programmes have emerged as influential community leaders, educators, and advocates, such as Benson Lugwar, a former child soldier now elected official and radio host in Uganda.
Satellite Connectivity as a Force for Progress
“At Intelsat, we firmly believe in connectivity’s power to advance education and sustainable development worldwide,” said Dave Wajsgras, CEO of Intelsat. “Forest Whitaker and WPDI’s mission exemplifies the transformative potential of satellite communications. We are honoured to support their efforts to unite young people, bridge the digital divide, and foster prosperity in communities that need it most.”
The satellite-enabled connectivity will allow WPDI to expand its educational programmes, providing access to digital resources, online courses, and virtual exchange programmes previously unavailable in these remote regions. Students will develop essential digital literacy skills while engaging with WPDI’s established conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, and community development curriculum.
This partnership underscores a shared commitment to leveraging technology for social impact, ensuring that even the most marginalised populations can participate in the digital economy and contribute to a more peaceful, equitable future.
About WPDI
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) is a non-governmental organisation with an international scope and reach, committed to promoting peace and resilience by disseminating skills and promoting climate-sensitive and sustainable development in countries and places affected by violence, poverty, environmental disruption, and marginalisation. In Africa, Europe, as well as Latin and North America, WPDI develops a wide range of programmes aimed at training and supporting underprivileged individuals and groups, with a particular focus on youth and women, enabling them to become empowered as mediators, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, fostering positive transformation within their communities and beyond. To achieve its objectives, WPDI works with the communities to design and implement integrated programmes in the four areas of Peacebuilding, Livelihood, Health and Well-being, and Sports. WPDI was founded in 2012 by the artist, social activist, and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace, Forest Whitaker.
About Intelsat
Intelsat’s global team of professionals is focused on providing seamless and secure satellite-based communications to government, NGO and commercial customers through the company’s next-generation worldwide network and managed services. Bridging the digital divide by operating one of the world’s largest and most advanced satellite fleets and connectivity infrastructures, Intelsat enables people and their tools to speak over oceans, see across continents and listen through the skies to communicate, cooperate and coexist. Since its founding six decades ago, the company has been synonymous with satellite-industry “firsts” in service to its customers and the planet. Leaning on a legacy of innovation and focusing on addressing a new generation of challenges, Intelsat team members now have their sights on the “next firsts” in space as they disrupt the field and lead in the digital transformation of the industry.