Telecom Namibia, the state-owned telecommunications operator, has entered a groundbreaking pilot agreement with Angola’s National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN) to deploy the Angosat-2 satellite platform throughout the region.
Announced during the ANGOTIC ICT forum in Luanda, this transformative deal marks a transition from a successful proof-of-concept stage to a structured operational trial of Angosat-2 satellite services.
The trial will allow Telecom Namibia to assess the platform’s technical performance, service capabilities, and commercial potential under real-world conditions. As demand for connectivity in remote and underserved areas grows, satellite solutions are increasingly recognised as vital complements to traditional infrastructure such as fibre and wireless networks.
Fimanekeni Petrus, chairperson of Telecom Namibia, emphasised the importance of the pilot agreement, stating, “We are not only testing technology; we are actively shaping the future of connectivity in our region.” He highlighted the initiative’s goal of expanding access to reliable and scalable digital services in even the most isolated communities.
Following the successful completion of the pilot phase, both countries aim for a full commercial rollout of Angosat-2 services. This satellite connectivity is anticipated to improve access to digital services in remote regions, enhance resilience by diversifying infrastructure, expand connectivity across key economic sectors, and provide scalable telecommunications solutions.
The commercial satellite agreement is part of a larger bilateral framework, as Namibia and Angola simultaneously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster government cooperation in the ICT sector.
The MOU, signed by Namibia’s ICT Minister, Emma Theofelus, and Angola’s Telecommunications Minister, Mário Oliveira, establishes a formal structure for cross-border collaboration. According to Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the agreement aims to promote joint ICT initiatives, collaborative digital projects, exchanges of technical expertise among government employees, and cooperative cybersecurity operations.
This ministerial agreement reflects the strengthening of ties between these two Southern African nations, as they leverage shared technology infrastructure to foster sustainable socio-economic development in the border region.
