The Acting Director
General of the Regional African Satellite Communication Organization (RASCOM),
Timothy Ashong, has held discussions with Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's
Communications and Digital Economy Minister, and Jane-Egerton-Idehen, Managing
Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).
The talks aimed to
strengthen the collaboration between the two organizations and explore
opportunities for mutual benefit.
RASCOM, established in
1992, is committed to bridging the digital divide by deploying comprehensive
telecommunications infrastructure across the continent, especially to rural
areas, to ensure continent-wide connectivity.

During the discussion,
Mr. Ashong highlighted RASCOM's 5-year strategic plan, which was approved in
November 2023. According to him, this marks a pivotal step towards reinforcing
member commitment, fostering African expertise through capacity building, and
forging strategic partnerships for technological advancement.
One of the key points of
the talks was a proposal for Nigeria to enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with RASCOM. This would facilitate the marketing of
NIGCOMSAT satellite capacity to neighbouring countries, thus advancing the goal
of a technologically interconnected Africa.

Nigeria has been a member
of RASCOM since its establishment in May 1992 and plays a crucial role in the
organization's objectives of fostering development and providing efficient and
economical means of telecommunications across the African continent.
RASCOM aims to create a
seamless and integrated satellite communication network that spans across
borders, connecting nations and fostering economic and social development. The
collaboration between RASCOM and NIGCOMSAT holds the potential to enhance the
efficiency and reach of telecommunications services, ensuring that even remote
areas have access to sound and television broadcasting. NIGCOMSAT, as a prominent
player in the Nigerian satellite communication landscape, brings valuable
expertise and resources to the collaborative table.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye