The Symposium on Space Innovation in Africa, a flagship event of Senegal Space Week, has officially opened at the prestigious King Fahd Palace in Dakar, bringing together leading voices in the space ecosystem to chart new paths for inclusive development across the continent through space technologies.
The opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, whose presence underscored Senegal’s strong political commitment to leveraging space as a catalyst for sustainable development, economic empowerment, and technological advancement.
A key highlight of the day was the first panel discussion of the symposium, titled “Reimagining Connectivity Through Satellite: Opportunities and the Future of Equitable Access to Services for the State and Citizens.” The session explored how satellite infrastructure and services can be redefined to ensure widespread and equitable access to essential services — particularly in underserved and remote communities across Africa.
Participating in the panel was Mr. Timothy Ashong, Director General of the Regional African Satellite Communications Organization (RASCOM), who joined an esteemed group of speakers including Mr. Dahirou Thiam, CEO, ARTP Sénégal, Mouhamadou Mansour Ndiaye, Director General, GNS Afrique and Mohsen Chirara, CEO, ARC INFORMATIQUE Group
Mr. Ashong’s intervention focused on the role of regional satellite collaboration in bridging Africa’s digital divide and creating scalable, affordable solutions that respond directly to the continent’s development needs.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury — it is a fundamental enabler of education, health, security, governance, and economic inclusion,” said Timothy Ashong. “At RASCOM, we believe that a pan-African approach to satellite infrastructure is key to ensuring no citizen is left behind, regardless of geography or socio-economic status. Through collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can reshape Africa’s digital future together.”
Mr. Ashong emphasized that equitable connectivity through satellite is not only technologically feasible, but also economically strategic, calling for deeper public-private partnerships and sustained investments in local capacity building.
Senegal Space Week continues through May 16, with further sessions focusing on downstream applications, regional cooperation, and youth engagement in the space sector.