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Abstract
Keynote Speech - New Partnership for Africa's Development and the developement of satellite services in Africa
Speaker: Mr. H. Chasia, Deputy-Chairman, E-Africa Commission
From the very inception of commercial satellite communications, Africa has seemed to be the
one continent that would most benefit from this technology. In the early days following the
establishment of the INTELSAT System, the use of satellites was quickly embraced by African
countries for communications between Africa and other continents.
However, the use of satellites for communications within and between African countries has
remained relatively limited despite the rapid advances in satellite technology over the past
two decades. Many reasons can be given to explain this state of affairs. Essentially, all boil
down to poverty and lack of development which creates a vicious circle tying lack of affordability
to poor demand and vice versa.
With the advent of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) an opportunity emerges which,
if embraced by the satellite operating companies, might provide an avenue out of the vicious circle.
NEPAD in its economic and ICT programmes is expected to have a significant impact on the demand for
communication services. If, in response to NEPAD, the satellite companies will address the supply side
of their service offerings, there is a chance that the vicious circle could be converted to a virtuous
circle that would contribute significantly to the development of the African continent. |
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