Moroccan company Panafsat and Thales Alenia Space, a world leader in satellite construction, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a high-speed Moroccan satellite communications system. This ambitious project will cover 26 African countries, including 23 French-speaking countries, for a combined population of 550 million people spread over an area of 12 million square kilometers.
Signed during the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco, in the presence of the Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, and the French Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, this agreement marks a key milestone in digital cooperation between the two nations.
The satellite, designed by Thales Alenia Space, will provide very high speed internet services (VHTS) to accelerate digital transformation in Africa. It will help bridge the digital divide in rural and isolated areas while providing connected services to governments, businesses, and individuals.
Ahmed Toumi, CEO of Panafsat, said:
“This project represents a major advance in the digital transformation process and the development of the digital economy in Morocco and Africa. Millions of people will benefit from Internet access and essential services. We are delighted to collaborate with Thales Alenia Space to bring this vision to life. »
For his part, Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, underlined:
“This project will help reduce the digital divide, stimulate economic growth and strengthen the digital sovereignty of the African continent. We are honored to collaborate with Panafsat to deliver innovative space services. »
This agreement is part of the roadmap of France and Morocco for digitalization, including initiatives Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) and Digital Morocco 2030. The project also aligns with Morocco’s strategic ambitions for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
With this commitment, France and Morocco are laying the foundations for a more connected and competitive Africa, by strengthening digital infrastructure for millions of Africans.
