Executives from KT SAT, the satellite business subsidiary of South Korea’s KT Corporation, recently met with Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, during his visit to South Korea. KT SAT aims to participate in Equatorial Guinea’s national satellite project and initiatives to improve the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. The meeting has raised expectations that KT’s efforts to expand into the African market — which had slowed following setbacks in Rwanda — may regain momentum.
According to the Equatorial Guinean government on the 28th, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue held talks with KT SAT CEO Seo Young-soo and other executives. Senior officials from Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Public Works also attended the meeting.
During the discussions, KT SAT expressed its interest in collaborating on the national satellite project and terrestrial communications infrastructure improvement. The company highlighted its parent KT Corporation’s experience in establishing high-speed communications networks and operating seven regional centers in neighboring Gabon.
Vice President Obiang positively assessed KT SAT’s proposal and actively provided his input. He suggested that KT SAT dispatch representatives to Equatorial Guinea to further discuss the project and emphasized the importance of securing financing for its implementation.
“The government of Equatorial Guinea is considering various options offered by global companies,” Vice President Obiang said. “Securing a national satellite would strengthen not only telecommunications capabilities but also our national security.”
Industry experts view this development as a potential breakthrough for KT’s expansion in Africa, particularly in the satellite communications sector. KT previously established a joint venture with the Rwandan government in 2013 to build Africa’s first nationwide 4G LTE network. The company has also secured ICT contracts in Tanzania, Gabon, Angola, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
Vice President Obiang, the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has served as Vice President of Equatorial Guinea since 2016. During his visit to South Korea, he also met with executives from Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, Hyundai Motor Company, and Hanwha Aerospace to explore further cooperation opportunities.
