By Ambrose Okwanga I April30th 2026
Ministers responsible for ICT from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan have signed a joint resolution to undertake a feasibility study for a regionally owned communication and broadcasting satellite.
The initiative falls under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) framework, which promotes infrastructure development and regional cooperation among partner states.
The resolution was adopted during an inter-ministerial meeting held in Nairobi on April 29, 2026, on the sidelines of the Connected Africa Summit.
The meeting was chaired by Uganda and co-chaired by South Sudan, reflecting a coordinated regional effort to advance digital infrastructure and innovation.
The decision follows a directive from the 14th NCIP Summit, where Heads of State tasked partner countries with developing a jointly owned satellite to strengthen sovereignty and expand connectivity.
Ministers emphasized the urgency of reducing reliance on external communication systems, noting that such dependence has implications for cost, reliability, and service continuity.
Uganda’s Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, said the meeting formalized commitment among member states and authorized the start of a feasibility study to guide implementation.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo Gitau, described the project as a timely intervention to strengthen telecommunications, broadcasting, and digital integration across the region.
South Sudan’s ICT Minister, Ateny Wek Ateny, said the proposed satellite would expand broadband access, improve e-government services, and extend connectivity to underserved communities.
As part of the next steps, partner states agreed to jointly finance the feasibility study and establish a dedicated project account, marking a significant move toward shared digital infrastructure and deeper regional integration.