Kenya and Angola forge innovative telecom partnership in Africa

Kenya and Angola have partnered to enhance telecommunications infrastructure and satellite capabilities across Africa. Under Minister Mário Oliveira’s leadership, Angola is leveraging its communication satellite, Angosat 2, to unlock opportunities in ICT, agriculture, mining, and climate monitoring.

Angola’s President Lourenço’s authorization for Angosat 2’s commercialization paves the way for collaborations and investments in the ICT sector. Kenya, a key tech player in Africa, has reciprocated Angola’s enthusiasm with its top ICT firms venturing into the Angolan market, and bilateral agreements signed during President Lourenço’s last visit to Kenya have laid a solid foundation for enhanced relations between both countries.

Angola’s space industry has also invited public and private players across Africa to leverage Angosat space technology. Countries such as Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia are keen to utilize this technology for accelerated digital transformation and expanding broadband connectivity, particularly in remote areas with limited terrestrial network coverage.

Why does it matter?

Angola’s launch of Angosat-2 was a milestone in positioning the country as a leading force in African telecommunications. However, despite government promises of enhanced accessibility to services like TV, radio, internet, and telephony, critics note a gradual decline in internet and mobile network quality, labeling the satellite as another “white elephant. While Angola’s president authorized Angosat 2 commercialization, there appear to be challenges in translating the capabilities of the satellite into tangible benefits, especially for Angolans.