By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
RASCOM Director General
Timothy Adi Ashong has participated virtually in the 2026 Global Space Connectivity
& Sustainability Events, sharing Africa’s experiences in satellite
communication technologies and emphasising the need for continued collaboration
to achieve universal connectivity across the continent.
Ashong joined the high-level
panel session, “From Ambition to Access: The Role of Satellite in Achieving
Universal Access,” held from 12 to 14 October 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The
event was co-organised by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission
(CST) Saudi Arabia and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The session examined the
role of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) in connecting the billions who remain
unconnected, with discussions covering the global satellite connectivity
landscape, the evolving roles of geostationary (GEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO)
and low Earth orbit (LEO) operators, direct-to-device services, and the
technological, commercial and regulatory challenges to universal access.
The panel was moderated by
Isabelle Mauro, Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association
(GSOA), and featured Gilles Bregant, CEO of Agence Nationale des Fréquences
(ANFR); Badr NAlsuwaidan, CEO and President of ARABSAT; and Mark Rigolle, CEO
of ABS Satellite.
Ashong emphasised the
importance of sustained cooperation among governments, regional institutions,
satellite operators and other stakeholders to expand access to satellite
communications and address Africa’s connectivity needs.
RASCOM also commended the
African Space Agency, led by Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, for its efforts to advance
Africa’s space agenda and promote collaboration in harnessing space
technologies for the continent’s development.
The 2026 Global Space
Connectivity & Sustainability Events brought together “Connecting the World
from the Skies” and the “Space Sustainability Forum” on one platform focused on
innovation in non-terrestrial networks and space sustainability.
