A high-level forum in Dar es Salaam has warned that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) faces a looming deadline to secure its shared satellite orbital slot, raising concerns about potential setbacks in the region’s digital and communications ambitions.
The meeting, which brought together policymakers, telecommunications experts and regional stakeholders, stressed that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe could see the bloc lose its internationally allocated satellite position — a move that would significantly undermine efforts to expand broadband connectivity and strengthen digital sovereignty across Southern Africa.
Strategic Asset at Risk
Experts at the forum described the satellite slot as a strategic regional asset critical for telecommunications, broadcasting, internet services and disaster management systems. If the orbital position is not secured and operationalised within the required period set by global regulatory frameworks, it could be reassigned.
Participants warned that losing the slot would not only delay regional integration in the ICT sector but also increase dependence on external satellite providers, potentially driving up costs for member states.
Call for Coordinated Action
The forum urged SADC member countries to accelerate joint financing, technical coordination and regulatory approvals needed to operationalise the satellite project. Speakers emphasized that collective political will and timely financial commitments are essential to safeguard the region’s long-term communications infrastructure.
SADC, which comprises 16 member states across Southern Africa, has in recent years prioritized digital transformation as a key pillar of economic growth, trade facilitation and regional integration.
Digital Future at Stake
Analysts noted that securing the satellite slot would enhance regional capacity in remote education, telemedicine, cross-border security coordination and climate monitoring — sectors increasingly reliant on stable and affordable digital connectivity.
The Dar es Salaam discussions are expected to feed into upcoming SADC ministerial and summit meetings, where leaders will be called upon to make decisive commitments before the international deadline lapses.
With time running out, stakeholders at the forum were unanimous: swift, coordinated action is necessary to protect the region’s strategic position in space and secure its digital future.
