The East African Humanitarian Summit (EAHS) successfully concluded another impactful event in Nairobi, bringing together over 600 delegates and more than 80 UN agencies and NGOs. The summit, aimed at outlining a roadmap for Africa’s sustainable development, emphasized the critical role of closing the digital divide as a key driver of progress. One of the standout participants, IEC Telecom, an international leader in satellite communications, presented a groundbreaking network management solution powered by Starlink’s Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite network.
Digitalization holds transformative potential for Africa, offering new opportunities for economic growth and development. According to the GSMA Association’s 2024 report, a 10% increase in mobile internet penetration could lead to a 2.5% rise in GDP per capita across Africa. Despite this potential, only a third of the continent’s population had access to broadband internet by 2022, according to the World Bank. Many of these underserved areas heavily rely on humanitarian support.
“Bridging the digital gap is not just a technological imperative but a pathway to sustainable development and inclusive progress in Africa,” stated Cameron Malik, Events Director of EAHS. “The humanitarian sector plays a key role in this transformation, spreading technology and its benefits within communities in need.”
LEO networks, like Starlink, have opened new frontiers for the humanitarian sector, providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity even in the most remote regions. Licensed in 13 African countries, Starlink is on track to expand its services to 30 more African nations by 2025, significantly enhancing access to digital tools for humanitarian missions.
At the summit, Nabil Ben Soussia, Chief Commercial Officer of IEC Telecom Group, presented an innovative solution for integrating Starlink into the humanitarian sector. His presentation highlighted how network management, combined with LEO technology, can optimize aid delivery by ensuring flexible and efficient data usage.
“Network management is not only about user experience but also about flexibility and budget control,” explained Ben Soussia. “In the face of rising geopolitical tensions and natural disasters, the humanitarian sector is under pressure to optimize resources. Our solution allows NGOs to allocate Starlink data between missions as needed, ensuring maximum efficiency.”
In emergencies, connectivity can be rapidly redirected from routine operations to critical needs, such as telemedicine in field hospitals or real-time monitoring of vehicular fleets in affected areas. This innovative approach has already garnered interest from several leading NGOs, signaling a significant shift in how the humanitarian sector leverages satellite communication.
The EAHS is committed to promoting sustainable development in Africa and continues to seek out visionary solutions that deliver tangible benefits to deprived communities and the humanitarian sector. IEC Telecom’s contributions at the summit underscored their dedication to this mission.
“EAHS is deeply grateful for IEC Telecom’s involvement and looks forward to continued collaboration in the years to come,” said Malik.
The 2024 summit reaffirmed the role of digital solutions in advancing Africa’s development goals, with the connected humanitarian sector leading the way towards a more inclusive digital future for the continent.