Côte d'Ivoire Looms to Expand Satellite Partnership with RASCOM

The Government of Côte d'Ivoire has said that it is exploring closer cooperation with the Regional African Satellite Communications Organization (RASCOM) as part of its strategy to use satellite technology to achieve universal connectivity and accelerate digital transformation.

Following a visit to RASCOM's headquarters in Abidjan, Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation Djibril Ouattara said satellite communications would become a key component of Côte d'Ivoire's universal service strategy. The ministry plans to begin technical discussions with RASCOM and the country's universal service agencies to identify practical deployment opportunities.

Beyond telecoms, the government sees satellite technology as an enabler for a wide range of national priorities, including territorial surveillance, precision agriculture, geographic information systems (GIS), land management and environmental monitoring. Ouattara also highlighted the importance of exploring future African cooperation on satellite constellations and low Earth orbit (LEO) systems as the global satellite industry evolves.

RASCOM Director General Timothy Adi Ashong noted that the organisation already supports services in Côte d'Ivoire, including satellite broadcasting used during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He reaffirmed RASCOM's mission to expand African-owned satellite connectivity and said the organisation is working with the Ivorian government to extend broadband services into rural and underserved communities using African satellite infrastructure.