Orange Mali and SES are recognised for using satellite connectivity to bring mobile broadband and its economic, educational, humanitarian, and social benefits to some of Mali’s hardest-to-reach communities.
Together, the companies developed and deployed the first satellite-powered 4G network in Francophone West Africa, using SES satellite capacity to provide high-speed 3G and 4G backhaul where fibre and microwave networks are unavailable, unreliable, or vulnerable to disruption. Satellite capacity supporting Orange Mali has grown from 200 Mbps to more than 10 Gbps, enabling connectivity across more than 100 remote sites in at least 19 regions of Mali.
The value of that network is visible in communities such as Kabala. Local entrepreneurs can communicate with customers and suppliers, access digital financial services, and reach markets beyond their immediate surroundings. Young people gain access to educational content and digital tools, while families can maintain relationships across long distances and residents can reach information, services, and support networks that previously sat beyond practical reach.
The network also reaches communities affected by instability and displacement, where dependable communications can help residents maintain connections and gain access to information. Through local support, continuous network monitoring, and a combination of terrestrial and satellite infrastructure, Orange Mali and SES have created a model for extending digital participation into places where conventional network expansion remains difficult or costly.
