14 May 2025
More than 360,000 residents living in remote rural areas of Mali have recently been connected to the internet.
This initiative, carried out by Intelsat in partnership with Orange Mali since 2022, has resulted in the deployment of over 60 sites across approximately thirty isolated communities, boosting satellite capacity from 200Mbps to more than 5Gbps.
To overcome the challenges posed by Mali’s vast territory, security concerns, and inadequate terrestrial infrastructure, the project relies on satellite technology capable of extending 3G and 4G coverage to previously unreachable areas. The system utilizes the IS-23 and IS-10-02 satellites, with centralized maintenance ensuring consistent service quality and reliability.
Intelsat highlighted that this marks the first successful deployment of a satellite-based 4G network in French-speaking West Africa. The improved connectivity has contributed to several positive outcomes: encouraging the return of some displaced populations, supporting local economic activities, and empowering rural women by providing better access to information, financial services, and markets.
Building on these achievements, Orange Mali is now developing targeted offers for local businesses to further support the country’s digital transformation efforts.
