Eutelsat, Bayobab expand Africa's connectivity

Eutelsat Group and Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, have entered into a multi-year agreement to utilise Low Earth Orbit (LEO) capacity from Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation

This partnership is designed to meet the connectivity demands of enterprises and cellular backhaul, delivering reliable solutions to improve network performance and customer experience across Africa.

Expanding network coverage 

As Africa's leading digital and infrastructure service provider, Bayobab will use Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation to offer fixed connectivity services. These advanced satellite solutions aim to enhance coverage in rural areas, delivering high-quality connectivity with reduced latency. The rollout is expected to be completed across the continent by December 2024, with services already active in four African countries.

Cyril Dujardin, co-president of the Eutelsat Group Connectivity Business Unit, commented, "We are proud to count Bayobab and the broader MTN Group amongst Africa’s early adopters of the Eutelsat/OneWeb LEO constellation. This partnership underscores the commitment of both Eutelsat and Bayobab to drive digital inclusion, and the pertinence of innovative satellite solutions to achieve this aim, notably the unique properties of ubiquitous, low latency LEO capacity.”

Frédéric Schepens, CEO of Bayobab, added, "At Bayobab, we're passionate about being at the forefront of harnessing technology to empower people and businesses across Africa. Our partnership with Eutelsat and the integration of OneWeb's LEO satellite services into our solutions is a testament to this commitment. This collaboration brings cutting-edge digital connectivity to even the most remote corners of the continent and reaffirms our promise of 'Connecting Africa' – a promise rooted in partnership and driven by a vision of a digitally inclusive future."

This collaboration between Eutelsat and Bayobab represents a significant advancement in bridging Africa’s digital divide. The deployment and integration of LEO satellite technology will provide improved connectivity solutions, empowering communities across the continent.