Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with global operations, has announced the commercial rollout of its next-generation mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4, in South Africa. The launch marks Space42’s first operational presence in the country and a significant milestone in expanding secure, reliable satellite connectivity across one of Africa’s most advanced digital markets.
The commercial availability of Thuraya, a subsidiary of Space42, is expected to strengthen communications resilience across South Africa’s most connectivity-dependent sectors, including energy, mining, maritime, civil government, and humanitarian operations. These industries often operate in environments where terrestrial networks are unreliable, disrupted, or entirely unavailable, making satellite connectivity critical for operational continuity and safety.
The rollout comes at a time when South Africa’s demand for dependable connectivity continues to rise, with increasing emphasis on solutions that support digital inclusion, economic activity, and infrastructure resilience. Space42 said its local market development strategy will involve close engagement with public and private sector stakeholders to ensure alignment with national priorities and long-term service delivery needs.
The launch week is expected to bring together senior stakeholders from government, business, and the technology ecosystem. Government leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, are anticipated to attend, alongside diplomatic representatives from the United Arab Emirates and regional connectivity partners.
Sulaiman Al Ali, Chief Commercial Officer at Space42, said the South Africa rollout reflects the company’s ambition to become a global leader in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and deepen long-term partnerships across Africa.
“We look forward to advancing resilient connectivity across South Africa, enabling essential continuity across productivity, safety, and service delivery for industry and government operations. Through Thuraya-4, Space42 is extending secure satellite capability that supports connection when and where it matters most,” he said.
Thuraya-4 is built on advanced L-band architecture and software-defined capabilities, allowing it to dynamically allocate bandwidth, configure coverage intelligently, and integrate seamlessly with terrestrial networks. The satellite is designed to perform reliably even in adverse weather conditions and in remote or hard-to-reach regions.
Elmuiz Saad, Senior Vice President of Commercial at Space42, said the launch demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting Africa’s connectivity ambitions, including the digital inclusion goals outlined in South Africa’s Vision 2030. He added that ongoing investment and partnerships will help strengthen operational capacity across critical sectors.
Beyond connectivity, Space42 continues to advance broader geospatial and digital infrastructure initiatives across Africa. Through the Map Africa project, Space42, Microsoft, and Esri are working to develop high-quality base maps for the continent, supporting infrastructure planning, disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and improved public services. The initiative spans 54 countries and covers approximately 30 million square kilometres, serving a population of an estimated 1.4 billion people.
//Staff writer
