Intelsat Expands Satellite Education Connectivity in South Sudan, Uganda

Intelsat has partnered with Forest Whitaker's nonprofit, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), to provide high-speed satellite internet connectivity to 10 Community Learning Centres across conflict-affected regions in South Sudan and Uganda. This three-year collaboration aims to bridge the digital divide in these areas, where traditional internet infrastructure is insufficient or non-existent, enabling thousands of young people to access digital resources, online courses, and virtual exchange programs. Intelsat is supplying equipment, managed connectivity services, installation, and ongoing technical support, enhancing the centers' communication capabilities by four to ten times. Forest Whitaker emphasized that education is foundational to peace, and with improved technology, youths affected by violence can become agents of positive change in their communities. The initiative addresses the severe digital inequality in least developed nations, where only 19% of people use the internet, with even lower rates in conflict zones, thereby empowering WPDI trainees to become community leaders, educators, and advocates. WPDI also provides training in peace-building, entrepreneurship, and ICT skills, and the improved connectivity significantly expands educational opportunities in these remote locations.