Orange Africa and Middle East and Eutelsat to bridge the digital divide

06 March 2025

Orange Africa and Middle East and Eutelsat have announced a strategic partnership aimed at bridging the digital divide in Africa and the Middle East through cutting-edge satellite connectivity. This collaboration seeks to deliver broadband access to remote and isolated areas, enhancing digital inclusion throughout the region.

As part of this multi-year initiative, Orange will leverage the capabilities of the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite, equipped with state-of-the-art broadband technology, to provide reliable and accessible Internet services. The initial rollout will focus on key countries including Jordan, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans to gradually extend services to all nations across the region.

Combining Orange’s telecommunications expertise with Eutelsat’s innovative satellite solutions, this partnership will enable tailored service offerings for both individual consumers (B2C) and businesses (B2B), ensuring secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity. The integration of fixed, mobile, and satellite technologies is designed to effectively connect remote territories and meet the increasing demand for Internet access.

The partnership is based on delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions with speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This initiative aims to extend coverage to underserved rural and white areas; provide services adapted to local conditions and the specific needs of individuals and businesses; and ensure reliable and secure connectivity that adheres to national regulations.

“This partnership embodies our commitment to connecting all territories and bridging the digital divide in Africa and the Middle East,” said Jérôme Hénique, Managing Director of Orange Africa and Middle East. “Today, Orange serves over 160 million customers in the region and is dedicated to ensuring digital access for everyone. By leveraging our expertise and local presence, we strive to be a pivotal player in meeting evolving customer needs while guaranteeing sustainable connectivity that complies with local regulations.”

“I am thrilled about this strategic partnership between the Orange Group and Eutelsat Group, which strengthens our long-term collaboration,” said Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale. “It aligns with our strategy to provide our customers with the best satellite connectivity solutions, enhancing our terrestrial networks. The Orange Wholesale satellite factory possesses the expertise necessary to implement this strategy for all Orange Group entities, and we also offer satellite operators essential terrestrial connectivity solutions, such as teleports and long-distance fibre.”

“Our satellite technology, including GEO capacity, combined with Orange’s local footprint, ensures connectivity reaches where it is needed most. Together, we are developing a robust solution to address accessibility challenges, providing reliable and affordable connectivity for both consumers and businesses,” said Cyril Dujardin, President of the Connectivity Business Unit within Eutelsat Group.