In the telecommunications industry, “connectivity” is often measured in gigabits and latency. However, for millions across Africa, it is measured in opportunity. SES and the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) were recently honored with the “Changing Lives Award” for their efforts in supporting Africa’s digital future. We sat down with Pablo Catapodis, Vice President of Sales for Africa at SES, to talk about how the company combines local expertise with global satellite power to create a long-lasting impact. Catapodis shares his insights on what it really takes to connect the unconnected ahead of Mobile World Congress (MWC26), covering topics like the evolving role of satellite in urban environments and the power of purpose-driven partnerships.
Satellite World (SW): Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at SES.
Pablo Catapodis (PC): I’m the Vice President of Sales for Africa at SES, where I lead our commercial strategy and customer engagement across the continent. I work closely with telecom operators, governments, and enterprise partners to build long-term relationships and deliver connectivity solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and adapted to local market realities. Africa is a highly diverse and fast-evolving region, and my role is about bridging SES’s global capabilities with on-the-ground needs to enable meaningful, long-term impact.
SW: Give us an overview of the current state of connectivity in Africa. What are the pain points?
PC: Africa has made measurable progress in connectivity over the past decade, yet a significant digital divide remains. Today, only around 38–43 percent of the population is online, meaning more than half of Africans are still unconnected — particularly outside major urban centers. While network coverage has expanded year-on-year, persistent coverage and usage gaps remain, driven by infrastructure limitations, affordability challenges, and access barriers.
At the same time, demand for data is accelerating rapidly. Video consumption, cloud services, digital enterprises, and new applications are driving exponential growth in traffic and placing increasing pressure on network speed, capacity, and reliability. Networks designed for earlier generations of demand are being stretched, making integrated, hybrid connectivity solutions essential.
Importantly, satellite is no longer just a rural solution. It increasingly plays a role in suburban and urban environments by adding capacity, enhancing resilience, and complementing fiber and mobile networks where terrestrial infrastructure is congested, costly, or constrained. This evolution also opens the door to emerging use cases such as Direct-to-Device (D2D), cellular backhaul (CellBH), and data sovereignty solutions, which are becoming increasingly important for operators and governments seeking scalable, secure, and resilient connectivity models.
SW: Companies like SES are tackling these issues and improving access. What does it take to “connect the unconnected”?
PC: Connecting the unconnected requires the right mix of technology, partnerships, and sustainable business models. Satellite plays a critical role because it can be deployed quickly and reach areas where fiber and mobile networks are not economically viable. But connectivity is about more than coverage alone — it’s about integrating satellite into hybrid networks, working closely with local partners, and ensuring services are affordable, reliable, and scalable. Long-term success comes from collaboration across the ecosystem, including industry players, governments, and development partners, all aligned around shared objectives.
SW: The SES partnership with the WPDI is a strong example of this. What impact is it having on African youth?
PC: This partnership highlights how connectivity can be a powerful enabler of social and economic development. By providing access to digital platforms and online learning, we’re helping young people develop skills, access education, and connect to opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings. It’s a compelling example of how sustainable, purpose-driven partnerships can deliver tangible impact while creating long-term value for communities and local ecosystems.
SW: Tell us about the upcoming Mobile World Congress event (MWC). Anything specific you’d like to highlight?
PC: MWC is a key platform for engaging with customers and partners and discussing how connectivity is evolving globally. For SES, it’s an opportunity to showcase how satellite is becoming an integral part of hybrid and multi-orbit networks, supporting operators with high-performance, scalable solutions. I’m particularly looking forward to discussions around expanding coverage, strengthening network resilience, and unlocking new growth opportunities across Africa.
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