Intelsat Collaborates with WPDI for Increased Educational Opportunities in East Africa
In a groundbreaking move, Intelsat, a leading global satellite services provider, has partnered with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) to revolutionize access to education in conflict-affected regions across Africa. This three-year collaboration aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity to WPDI's Community Learning Centers in South Sudan and Uganda[1][2][3].
The partnership seeks to provide resources needed for education and opportunities for thousands of young people in areas where infrastructure has been insufficient or compromised[1][3]. Intelsat will provide equipment, managed connectivity services, installation, and ongoing technical support to ten centers—seven in South Sudan and three in Uganda[1][3].
This initiative will create digital bridges to education for these communities, enabling thousands of young people to access digital education, including digital literacy skills integrated alongside WPDI's curriculum in conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, and community development[1][3].
Forest Whitaker, founder and CEO of WPDI, highlights the transformative power of education enabled by technology. He states that connectivity allows youth affected by violence and unrest to reclaim their futures and become agents of peace in their communities[1][2][3]. The initiative addresses the critical need created by the fact that only about 19% of people in the least developed countries are online, with even lower rates in conflict zones, making traditional digital education nearly impossible without satellite internet[1][3].
The satellite-powered connectivity will significantly expand educational offerings in conflict-affected regions, providing access to digital resources, online courses, and virtual exchange programs[1][2][3]. This partnership exemplifies how satellite technology can overcome infrastructural and conflict-related barriers to education, fostering peace and development through digital inclusion in some of Africa’s most challenging environments[1][2][3].
This collaboration is an unprecedented effort to bring reliable internet access to communities where traditional connectivity infrastructure is inadequate for modern online education[1][3]. By empowering learning center trainees to become drivers of positive change in their communities and beyond, the initiative aims to create opportunities for youth to become community leaders, educators, and advocates for peace[3].
Intelsat's CEO, Dave Wajsgras, believes in the power of connectivity to promote education and sustainable development globally[1]. This partnership underscores Intelsat's commitment to supporting WPDI's efforts to bring young people together, close the digital divide, and create pathways to prosperity in communities that need it most[1].
References: [1] Intelsat. (2025). Intelsat and WPDI Partner to Revolutionize Education in Conflict-Affected Regions Across Africa. [Online]. Available: https://www.intelsat.com/news/intelsat-and-wpdi-partner-to-revolutionize-education-in-conflict-affected-regions-across-africa/
[2] Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative. (2025). Intelsat and WPDI Partner to Revolutionize Education in Conflict-Affected Regions Across Africa. [Online]. Available: https://www.wpdi.org/news/intelsat-and-wpdi-partner-to-revolutionize-education-in-conflict-affected-regions-across-africa/
[3] United Nations Development Programme. (2025). Intelsat and WPDI Partner to Revolutionize Education in Conflict-Affected Regions Across Africa. [Online]. Available: https://www.undp.org/news/intelsat-and-wpdi-partner-to-revolutionize-education-in-conflict-affected-regions-across-africa
- This partnership between Intelsat and WPDI is set to revolutionize education in Africa, leveraging AI, ICT, and technology infrastructure to provide high-speed internet connectivity for education-and-self-development to communities in South Sudan and Uganda.
- The collaboration aims to empower thousands of young people by integrating digital literacy skills with WPDI's curriculum in conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, and community development, bridging the digital divide in conflict-affected regions.
- This initiative addresses the critical need for reliable internet access in conflict zones, where traditional connectivity infrastructure is insufficient for modern digital education, and only about 19% of people in the least developed countries are online.
- This endeavor exemplifies how AI, ICT, and satellite technology can foster peace and development in challenging environments by overcoming infrastructural and conflict-related barriers to education, creating opportunities for youth to become leaders in education, community, and peace advocacy.
