SES Satellite Capacity Powers AMN’s Rapid Telecom Growth Across Côte d’Ivoire

SES and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have completed a major round of network upgrades across Côte d’Ivoire, bringing reliable 2G and 3G mobile services to more than half a million people in rural and previously underserved regions. The initiative, completed between May and June 2025, marks one of the most significant connectivity expansions in the country in recent years, reinforcing SES’s and AMN’s shared commitment to closing Africa’s digital divide.

Since entering the Côte d’Ivoire market in 2022 with just 60 sites, AMN has continued its rapid scale-up. Today, the company operates more than 300 sites powered by SES satellite capacity, delivering essential voice and mobile data services to over 700,000 people. By the end of 2025, AMN plans to expand its footprint to 360 sites, alongside the launch of its first 4G locations coming online in November 2025, further strengthening nationwide mobile broadband access.

AMN’s model stands out across sub-Saharan Africa: as an OEM of its own Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, the company controls performance, cost, and energy efficiency at the hardware level. Its AMN Radio Node (ARN) supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and future 5G on a single platform, enabling multi-operator service without additional power or infrastructure. With software-defined capabilities, AMN can upgrade networks remotely, minimizing downtime and reducing the total cost of deployment across hard-to-reach areas.

To support accelerating demand for mobile data in Côte d’Ivoire, SES has increased satellite capacity allocated to AMN’s operations, strengthening service reliability and boosting throughput for mobile operators and their customers. SES expects further scale-up to meet rising traffic requirements as new sites come online.

New research underlines the socioeconomic impact of this connectivity rollout. Across 300 surveyed users at AMN sites:

• 99% view the arrival of the telecom tower as a positive development for their community.

• 81% rely on mobile money, now made accessible through improved connectivity.

• 50% have received financial assistance, 76% of it delivered digitally.

• 42% use mobile services for education, and 33% for healthcare access.

“These upgrades not only bring internet access to remote regions but also empower local businesses, farmers, and families through digital inclusion,” said Michael Darcy, CEO of AMN. “Connectivity is a catalyst for economic growth. By extending reliable voice and data services to rural areas, we’re helping communities unlock new opportunities for learning, trade, and innovation.”

“As a long-standing partner of AMN, we fully believe in the transformative impact of their work,” added Jean-Philippe Gillet, President, Fixed and Maritime Vertical at SES. “At SES, we remain committed to delivering connectivity everywhere and enabling access to essential services for communities around the world.”

Across sub-Saharan Africa, millions still live without basic telecommunications. Expanding reliable mobile coverage is now a foundational driver of socioeconomic progress, from mobile money and e-learning to telemedicine and digital agriculture systems. SES and AMN’s continued collaboration in Côte d’Ivoire underscores the central role of satellite-enabled infrastructure in advancing inclusive digital development.