By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Members of the Board of Directors of the African Regional Satellite Organisation, RASCOM, are setting their sights on the future of satellite communication in Africa.
This is one among the focus of the ongoing 74th board meeting, which began in Yaounde, Cameroon on May 23. Cameroon, a member of RASCOM, is hosting the event through the Ministry of Communications and supported by Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL).
The three-day board session is expected to yield key resolutions to enhance and promote telecommunications development across the African continent.
Speaking during the opening session, Timothy Ashong, Acting General Manager of RASCOM, stressed the meeting’s significance. “This session is crucial,” he stated, “as it will take a major step in shaping Africa’s satellite communication future.”
Bini Kouame, RASCOM’s Board Chair, highlighted the organization’s strategic approach following a challenging period with internet blackouts in some African countries. “We have fully relaunched our activities with a five-year strategic plan,” he said.
On her path, Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi, Director General of Cameroon Telecommunication (CAMTEL), underlined the importance of satellite solutions stating, “This council is being held in a very important context given the events we experienced in March.”
She added, “Today, the satellite solution presents itself as an opportunity and a redundancy which will allow all countries to always be connected regardless of the problems that we may always have with other communication routes such as underground cables. sailors,” she said.
However, the ongoing session brings together member states and strategic partners. Key topics include the examination of RASCOM’s 2024-2029 strategy to foster collaboration and drive growth, discussing the latest developments and trends in satellite technology.
They will also share insights and approving proposals to address challenges and explore opportunities as well as charting a course for improved satellite connectivity across Africa.
Founded on May 27, 1992 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the Regional African Satellite Communication Organization (RASCOM) is a pan-African intergovernmental organization. It is made up of 45 countries, and its headquarters is in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The organization is responsible for defining low-cost telecommunications services based on space technology in conjunction with telecommunications operators in member countries.
Its goals is to direct connectivity for African countries to strengthen intra-African traffic, extending services to remote and underserved rural areas and supporting all ICT services, including TV and radio broadcasting.
RASCOM’s operational satellite provides public services for domestic and international telecommunications across Africa. This pan-African system is a solution for connecting rural and isolated areas and ensuring network interconnectivity for telecom operators.