en.Wedoany.com Reported - South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile officially launched BrainSAT's satellite services and Thuraya satellite phones in Johannesburg on June 30, a project supported by the UAE national space technology company Space42. These services are part of the SA Connect strategy, aimed at extending digital connectivity to rural and remote areas of South Africa.

At the launch ceremony, the Deputy President expressed hope that young people in rural areas would gain comprehensive internet access, enabling them to study online, attend virtual courses, and connect with mentors worldwide. This partnership stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Space42 and South Africa's Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies following the Deputy President's visit to the UAE in April 2024. The local implementation is handled by BrainSAT South Africa, a company specializing in satellite communication solutions for governments and enterprises.

Space42 has been steadily expanding its presence in the African market. In January 2025, the company launched the Thuraya-4 mobile communications satellite into orbit via SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, achieving full coverage of the African continent for the first time. In July 2025, Space42 raised $695.5 million to fund the development of its next-generation geostationary satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5.

This collaboration is part of the UAE's strategy to deploy technological capabilities across the African continent based on intergovernmental relations. The choice of the South African market as the primary target for this service is no coincidence. According to data from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the country had only 13,667 satellite broadband users in 2024, accounting for less than 2% of all wireless broadband users. BrainSAT and Thuraya's services target this underdeveloped niche, prioritizing deployment in areas where ground infrastructure is costly or technically challenging.