SES, MTN Announce Projects to Connect Refugees in Africa

Why It Matters

Connectivity is essential for protection, livelihood and education of displaced populations, and these partnerships bring scalable, affordable broadband to regions traditionally underserved. By linking telecom infrastructure with satellite technology, the initiatives could set a new standard for humanitarian communications across sub‑Saharan Africa.

Key Takeaways

• MTN signs MoU with UNHCR to connect refugees in Africa.
• Initial rollout in Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, scaling later.
• Over 20 million displaced people in MTN markets targeted.
• SES deploys O3b mPOWER satellites to Chad refugee settlement.
• Projects aim to boost digital inclusion, mobile money, skills training.

Pulse Analysis

The refugee crisis in sub‑Saharan Africa has intensified the demand for reliable digital services, yet many camps remain offline due to weak terrestrial networks. Mobile operators and satellite firms are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap, offering both coverage breadth and the speed required for modern applications. By integrating telecom expertise with space‑based connectivity, stakeholders can deliver critical information, facilitate cash transfers, and support remote education, fundamentally reshaping humanitarian response.

MTN’s agreement with UNHCR focuses on leveraging the carrier’s extensive footprint to provide affordable data, mobile‑money solutions, and digital‑skills programs in Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan. The partnership addresses systemic barriers such as lack of identification and device costs, while also creating revenue streams for the operator through humanitarian‑focused tariffs. As the rollout scales to additional MTN markets, the model could become a blueprint for private‑public collaborations aimed at closing the digital divide for displaced communities.

SES’s deployment of the O3b mPOWER constellation introduces medium‑Earth‑orbit satellite capacity to the Farchana settlement, delivering higher throughput and lower latency than traditional geostationary systems. This technology enables real‑time classrooms, tele‑health services, and reliable communications for aid workers, enhancing both immediate relief and long‑term resilience. The success of this pilot may accelerate satellite‑based solutions across other refugee sites, reinforcing the broader Connectivity for Refugees initiative and setting a precedent for rapid, scalable connectivity in crisis zones.