Thuraya Enters South African Market with Commercial Rollout of Thuraya-4 Satellite
This marks Thuraya’s first operational entry into South Africa, extending reliable, secure communications to key industries.
Thuraya, the subsidiary of Space42 and the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with global reach, has announced the commercial rollout of its next-generation satellite, Thuraya-4, in South Africa.
The expansion marks Thuraya’s first operational entry into the South African market and a significant milestone in extending advanced satellite connectivity to one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital economies. With Thuraya-4 now operational, the company’s full portfolio of mobile communications services becomes available nationwide.
The rollout enhances national coverage and strengthens secure communications across critical sectors. It supports South Africa’s Vision 2030 digital inclusion objectives, advances operational efficiency for public and private institutions, and complements the country’s ongoing investment in telecommunications and space infrastructure.
“Thuraya has delivered mobile satellite services across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia for over two decades, supporting customers where coverage and continuity are essential,” said Sulaiman Al Ali, Chief Commercial Officer at Space42. “South Africa’s commitment to digital inclusion and infrastructure resilience makes it an important addition to that journey. As a UAE-based company, we see strong alignment between both nations in viewing connectivity as a driver of economic resilience. Through Thuraya-4, we are proud to support that shared ambition.”
Supporting South Africa’s Resilience and Growth
Thuraya-4 enhances the connectivity backbone of South Africa’s most communication-dependent sectors: energy, mining, maritime, civil government, and humanitarian operations. Aligned with national digital priorities, the system extends reliable networks to remote and high-risk regions, improving productivity, safety, and continuity across critical industries.
Thuraya’s market entry is being implemented in close coordination with South African regulators and industry partners, ensuring that deployment aligns with local connectivity goals and shared ambitions for digital growth.
A New Standard of Mobility and Reliability
Thuraya-4 introduces a new class of satellite mobility designed for mission-critical operations. Unlike conventional systems optimised for fixed, high-bandwidth applications, the satellite’s advanced L-band payload and software-defined architecture dynamically allocate bandwidth and power, intelligently configure coverage, and maintain seamless interoperability with terrestrial networks, even under adverse conditions.
This combination of resilience and adaptability ensures uninterrupted service in isolated environments, addressing the needs of industries where connectivity is vital to both safety and efficiency.
A Broader Commitment to Africa’s Connected Future
The expansion into South Africa forms part of Space42’s broader strategy to strengthen digital and geospatial infrastructure across the African continent.
- Digital Connectivity: In Zimbabwe, Space42 has connected over 1,000 schools and 500 clinics, with plans to extend broadband access to 2,500 additional schools, serving 1.9 million students. In Rwanda, its subsidiary Mira Aerospace enabled the world’s first 5G video call from a fixed-wing High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), demonstrating how airborne systems can extend broadband coverage where terrestrial and satellite networks cannot. In South Africa, Space42 already delivers broadband services via YahClick.
- Geospatial Intelligence: Through the Map Africa Initiative, Space42, Microsoft, and Esri are building the continent’s most comprehensive base map using satellite imagery and AI analytics. The programme supports infrastructure planning, resource management, and climate-resilient development in partnership with national and regional institutions.
About Space42
Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) is a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company integrating satellite communications, geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence** to enlighten the Earth from space. Formed in 2024 through the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42’s global reach enables it to serve governments, enterprises, and communities with advanced space-enabled solutions.
The company operates through two business units:
- Space Services: focusing on upstream satellite operations for fixed and mobile satellite communications.
- Smart Solutions: which integrates geospatial data acquisition and AI-driven analytics to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency.
Major shareholders include G42, Mubadala, and IHC.