Agadir 24 | Agadir24
The Moroccan company “Bansat” and “Thales Alenia Space”, a joint venture between the Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) groups, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to build a Moroccan communications system via satellite.
He said, in a joint statement, that the communications system aims to provide high-speed connectivity to 26 African countries, including 23 French-speaking countries, and benefit a population of more than 550 million people distributed over an area of 12 million square kilometers.
Today, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Moroccan operator “Bansat” and the company “Thales Alenia Space”, within the framework of the official visit carried out by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to the Kingdom of Morocco, in the presence of Nadia Fattah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance of Morocco, and Antoine Arman, Minister of Finance. French economy, finance and industry.
This satellite will provide high-speed Internet service to accelerate the process of transformation in the digital landscape of the African continent by providing basic connectivity for the development of high-value-added services intended for governments, companies and citizens, with a focus on bridging the digital gap in rural and isolated areas.
Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Manager of Banvasat, Ahmed Toumi, said: “This project represents the next major step in the process of digital transformation and the development of the digital economy in Morocco and Africa.
Hervé Dery, Chairman and CEO of Thales Alenia Space, said that this project will undoubtedly be one of the key assets in bridging the digital divide in rural areas, promoting economic growth and promoting pan-African digital sovereignty. We are honored to begin this long-term cooperation with the leading African private operator, and to accompany it in developing its space resources and services in the African region.”
This agreement falls within the framework of the road map between the two countries, whether with regard to digitalization initiatives in the African region, such as “Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A)” and “Digital Morocco 2030,” or even within the framework of organizing the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco.
Panfast SA is a Moroccan company subject to private law and has the status of the financial center of Casablanca.
The company was founded by Ahmed Toumi, a former member elected to the Radio Regulations Board of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1998 for 4 years and former President and CEO of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO-Intelsat) between 2001 and 2009; He was awarded the Throne Medal with the rank of officer. Pansat’s mission is to develop the first fixed communications satellite in Morocco to provide communications to 26 African countries, a project that will contribute to the digital transformation of Africa in accordance with global and regional goals.
Thales Alenia Space engineers design and deliver innovative solutions for communications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructure. Enterprises, governments and businesses rely on Thales Alenia Space to design, build and deliver satellite systems: to geolocate and connect people and things around the world; monitoring our planet; And the optimal use of Earth’s resources and the resources of our solar system.
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**Interview with Ahmed Toumi, Chairman of Bansat**
**Interviewer**: Good afternoon, Mr. Toumi. Thank you for joining us today. Can you share with us the significance of the recent memorandum of understanding signed between Bansat and Thales Alenia Space?
**Ahmed Toumi**: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. This memorandum of understanding marks a pivotal moment for not only Bansat but also the broader African landscape. It signifies our commitment to building a high-speed satellite communications system that will enhance connectivity for over 550 million people across 26 African countries.
**Interviewer**: That’s quite an ambitious endeavor! How do you anticipate this satellite system will impact rural and isolated areas specifically?
**Ahmed Toumi**: Absolutely, bridging the digital divide is one of our foremost goals. By providing reliable high-speed internet access in rural areas, we aim to promote economic growth and digital inclusion. This connectivity will enable governments, businesses, and citizens to access essential services and innovative technologies, which are crucial for development.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned economic growth. Can you elaborate on the potential economic benefits you foresee from this project?
**Ahmed Toumi**: Certainly. With improved connectivity, we expect to see a surge in digital entrepreneurship and job creation. Access to high-value services can transform local economies, encourage e-commerce, and facilitate education and health services, ultimately leading to a more robust digital economy across the region.
**Interviewer**: It sounds transformative! How will this project align with Morocco’s vision for digital transformation?
**Ahmed Toumi**: This project is not merely an infrastructure project; it represents Morocco’s ambition to be a leader in the digital space in Africa. It aligns perfectly with our goal to harness technology for socio-economic development and to ensure that all regions have the tools they need to succeed in today’s digital economy.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, what message do you have for the communities that will benefit from this new satellite communications system?
**Ahmed Toumi**: I want to assure the communities that this project is designed with their needs in mind. We are committed to providing them with the best possible connectivity, which will empower them and unlock new opportunities. We believe that every individual, irrespective of their location, deserves access to digital resources, and we are here to make that a reality.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Mr. Toumi, for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing the positive changes this project will bring to Africa.
**Ahmed Toumi**: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time, and we’re eager to make a difference.
