Telecom
Satellite Technology Capable of Saving African Governments Billions
African governments and private sector organisations could save billions of dollars by adequately leveraging satellite networks and next-gen satellite technology for more effective disaster management efforts.
This is one of the key findings of “The Role of Satellite Communications in Disaster Management” white paper, released by Access Partnership, a global public policy firm for the technology sector.
The white paper outlines the urgency with which governments and the private sector need to leverage satellite technology for more effective disaster management efforts in Africa and globally.
If governments increase investments in physical and social infrastructure through the acceleration of transformational technologies, such as the effective use of satellite networks and next-generation satellite technology, this has the power to provide crucial data prior to, or when a natural disaster strikes, it says.
Satellite networks can also significantly reduce costs during emergencies, particularly where cellular networks cannot reach.
According to the report, the annual number of natural disasters is set to increase by 37% (from 442 to 541 occurrences) by 2025 globally. The impact of natural disasters is expected to be concentrated among low- and middle-income countries, which are relatively less prepared to adapt.
It shows that natural disasters currently cost the agricultural sectors of these markets more than $108 billion in damaged crop and livestock production.
Should the level of financing in climate adaptability remain low in these markets, the United Nations Environment Programme estimates climate change adaptation and natural disaster damages could cost developing countries $280 billion to $500 billion per year by 2050.
Because satellites are positioned above the earth’s atmosphere, they are able to produce crucial data on vast geographical situations and enable adequate disaster planning measures, which can save lives and reduce costs.
“Putting in place satellite services and next-generation satellite-enabled connectivity can mean the difference between saving millions of lives, or losing them,” says Ivan Suarez, senior policy manager at Access Partnership.
“As shown by this study, we need a concerted effort to fix the underlying inefficiencies of our existing communication systems. The availability of communication networks is directly related to the ability to respond quickly to emergencies and this move can also reduce government expenditure during and post-disaster.”
Satellite provides connectivity and broadcast services over vast geographical areas. It also offers extreme high-availability, which is not impacted by on-the-ground conditions, such as load-shedding.
With new entrants like SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service setting its sights on the African continent, there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the satellite industry recently.
Important predictions
According to the research, weather-related disasters − such as hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, wildfires, tornadoes and severe storms − are likely to become more frequent and widespread in coming years, due to climate change.
This increased frequency of natural disasters, predominantly caused by climate change, is set to overwhelm the National Emergency Telecommunications Plans (guideline document by the International Telecommunication Union) and terrestrial service providers currently in place to minimise and mitigate the human and economic cost of adverse weather events.
Satellite data, combined with the use of data analytics and predictive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, can be used to analyse past behaviour and provide a forecast on future weather patterns, it notes.
“In order to combat the user knowledge limitations faced by our present satellite solutions and their application in emergency response, a revolution is needed, and satellite-enabled technology is at the core of it.
“The landscape of each jurisdiction may define the best deployment alternatives for a given country. However, the need for complementary satellite-enabled connectivity is a must for even highly-connected telecommunications markets, which also have under-served areas.”
The report highlights that more agile regulatory and policy guidelines for the fast deployment of emergency communications technology are required in Africa.
“The role of policy and regulation is key to guarantee responses are both effective and timely. For this, defining the institutional roles that are applicable during disaster and emergency management is of paramount importance.
“Licensing and authorisation frameworks need to seriously consider the human and economic importance of enabling complementary satellite-enabled connectivity in future years,” it states.
Meta, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE), has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator Program to foster AI-driven solutions across critical sectors in Nigeria.
The eight-month program will support early-stage startups developing AI innovations using Meta’s open-source Llama models. Target sectors include Agriculture, Security & Safety, Healthcare, and a wildcard category for other high-impact applications.
Speaking at the launch, Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, emphasized the initiative’s role in advancing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. “We are thrilled to partner with FMCIDE in supporting local AI talent. Open-source AI should be accessible and relevant to national challenges,” she said.
The program will begin with a six-week incubation period, offering technical training and mentorship from industry experts, followed by six months of extended support, including access to technical resources.
Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, hailed the initiative as a “major step forward” in Nigeria’s AI development strategy. “AI will be a key driver of national growth, and this program equips innovators with the tools to tackle pressing issues,” Tijani stated.
The Llama Impact Accelerator aligns with Meta’s broader mission to democratize responsible AI access while fostering innovation in emerging markets.
In collaboration with academic and government stakeholders, the initiative is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s AI industry and drive impactful change.
Applications for the program remain open until June 27, 2025. More details can be found at llamaimpactssa.splashthat.com.
In an era where climate change, youth unemployment, and food insecurity loom large over the continent, a powerful new force is rising — young African innovators building a green future from the ground up.
At the just-concluded Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2024, organised by MTN and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Nigerian entrepreneur, Olabisi Rafatu Emmanuel, emerged as one of the continent’s top eco-champions, spotlighting the potential of purpose-driven innovation to rewrite Nigeria’s climate and development story.
While Moses Afopezi of Cameroon took home the top prize with AgricFresh, a smart solution combating post-harvest loss, Olabisi’s reusable menstrual products solutions as a waste transformation model earned her national applause and a seat at Africa’s sustainability table, emerging as the second-place winner.
Speaking during the announcement, MTN’s leadership underscored that this challenge goes far beyond accolades. “Together, we have the power to shape a greener, more sustainable Africa — one bold idea at a time,” Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN, said.
The triumph comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the environmental menace of climate change in major urban hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, even as the Nigerian government is clamouring for smart innovations to address climate change issues such as climate funding, carbon trading and just energy transition.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recently reiterated calls for tech-based waste management solutions – making Olabisi’s innovation timely and impactful.
MTN says this is just the beginning. With plans to expand the PachiPanda Challenge to more countries and deepen support for eco-entrepreneurs, the telecoms giant is reaffirming its commitment to socio-economic development through green innovation.
As Nigeria sets its sights on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the PachiPanda story is a timely reminder that the answers may lie not in government halls – but in the dreams and drive of Nigeria’s young changemakers.
MTN Nigeria has convened alumni of its Media Innovation Programme (MIP) for an interactive training session on digital monetisation in Nigeria’s Value-Added Services (VAS) sector.
The hybrid event, themed “Understanding Digital Monetisation: Opportunities in the VAS Space in Nigeria,” was led by A’isha Umar Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria. Participants explored evolving digital revenue models, including mobile payments, subscription billing, and telco-backed content partnerships.
Mumuni emphasized the growing significance of digital innovation. “Innovation is the currency of the future,” she stated. She cited projections indicating Nigeria’s potential emergence as the world’s fifth-largest economy by 2075, with the digital economy at the forefront of this growth.
The session spotlighted MTN Nigeria’s role in enabling content creators through platforms such as Callertunes, MTN Play, and digital storefronts. Participants were grouped into breakout sessions where they pitched digital product ideas, fostering creativity and strategic thinking.
According to industry figures, Nigeria’s digital economy contributed 18.44 percent to GDP as of Q2 2022, with ICT revenue soaring from ₦51.3 billion to ₦594 billion over a decade. Global digital services revenue reached an estimated $2.58 trillion in 2024, driven by advertising, paid content, and internet access.
Now in its fourth year, MTN Nigeria’s MIP continues to equip media professionals with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a digital-first economy. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its alumni through curated development sessions that empower media practitioners in Nigeria.
For further details on the MIP programme and upcoming alumni engagements, visit www.mtnmip.smc.edu.ng.
FG May Forfeits $4m from World Bank Loan over Audit Flop
NDIC Begins Final Settlements to Creditors of Liquidated Premier Bank
CDCFIB Warns against Recruitment Racketeers
Afia TV and Radio Stamps Footprints in Lagos
Concerned Nigerians Ask EFCC to Release Abiodun, CBEX Promoter
General News2 days agoWema Bank Workers, Others Arraigned over Alleged N8.9Bn Cybercrime
E-Financial2 days agoCyber Crime: Hackers to Hold Secret Conference 3.0 July 25
Telecom2 days agoGaps on Phone Number Recycling Fuel Identity Theft, Data Breaches- ICIR
General News2 days agoMusic Stars, Comedians Light Up “Evening with Glo” in Ijebu Ode
E-Business2 days agoFG Enrolls 59,786 Inmates on NIN Platform
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Flags ‘Punisher Coin’ As High-Risk Scheme
Telecom1 day agoTelcos Hit by Major Outages across Lagos, Enugu, Others
News1 day agoBeware!, Fraudsters Using our Name to Defraud Investors- NNPCL