Malatsi Calls for Regulatory Certainty as South Africa Eyes LEO Satellite Growth
Discussions brought together government, industry and academia to explore opportunities for developing Africa’s downstream space sector and using emerging technologies to improve connectivity.
South Africa’s digital transformation agenda this week focused on expanding connectivity, strengthening online safety, advancing artificial intelligence policy and rebuilding leadership structures responsible for ICT sector transformation, with Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi leading several of the engagements.
The week began with Malatsi opening the inaugural Independent Space Summit South Africa, described as the first summit dedicated to Africa’s role in the commercial space economy. The summit brought together government, industry and academia to explore opportunities for developing Africa’s downstream space sector and using emerging technologies to improve connectivity.
Malatsi emphasised the potential of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services to help close South Africa’s connectivity gaps, particularly in rural and underserved communities where fibre and fixed wireless infrastructure cannot yet reach at scale. He also stressed that African businesses, entrepreneurs and governments must play an active role in the space economy rather than remain spectators.
The minister subsequently turned his attention to online child safety, delivering a keynote address on August 11 at the Online Safety Integrated Programme’s Western Cape Provincial Training Workshop. The programme brings together government, United Nations agencies, industry and civil society to equip educators with the knowledge needed to protect children in an increasingly complex digital environment.
Malatsi called on technology platforms to build meaningful child-safety protections directly into their products, stressing that responsibility for online safety cannot rest solely with government or educators. He also highlighted the importance of training teachers to help children understand and navigate online risks.
On artificial intelligence, Malatsi met with the National AI Policy Expert Review Panel to discuss the development of South Africa’s national AI policy. The engagement focused on how the country can harness AI to promote inclusive economic growth and job creation while ensuring that AI development and governance align with South Africa’s constitutional values and national priorities.
The discussions are expected to inform the next phase of the policy process and support the development of a practical and implementable AI framework tailored to South Africa’s circumstances.
The government also moved to restructure the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) ICT Sector Council, which is responsible for contributing to transformation in the ICT sector and serving as custodian of the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code.
As part of the restructuring, Minki Mazibuko-Thulo was relieved of her duties as Council chairperson. Loyiso Tyra was appointed interim chairperson, while William Ledwaba was appointed interim deputy chairperson, with both appointments set to run for six months as the Department works on a longer-term reconfiguration of the Council.
The government said strengthening the Council is necessary to ensure the ICT Sector Code delivers meaningful transformation rather than remaining a set of policy directives.
Overall, the engagements led by Minister Solly Malatsi highlight South Africa’s efforts to build a digital economy that combines expanded connectivity, safer digital participation, responsible AI governance and stronger institutional accountability.
