High-speed satellite internet is officially coming aboard passenger trains in Gabon as part of the country’s major efforts to modernise public transport and close long-standing connectivity gaps along critical rail corridors.
Eutelsat has announced the deployment of its OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity services on Gabon’s passenger trains through a partnership with Airtel Gabon, following successful trials.
The initiative is being rolled out under a national programme led by the Ministry of digital Economy, digitalisation and Innovation and the Ministry of Transport, Merchant Marine and Logistics, working closely with the Transgabon Railway Operating Company (SETRAG).
Philippe Baudrier, vice president for Africa at Eutelsat, hailed the digital leap impact for Gabonese passengers as immediate and practical.
He emphasised that reliable onboard broadband will enable internet access for work, communication and entertainment across long-distance routes that cut through remote terrain where terrestrial networks are limited or unavailable.
The Transgabon Railway is a vital transport artery, carrying an estimated 300 000 passengers a year, linking inland regions to the capital, Libreville and the port city of Owendo.
“By enabling reliable broadband services on passenger trains, we are contributing to the modernisation of public transport infrastructure and an improved travel experience for rail passengers in Gabon.
"This deployment with Airtel Gabon reflects our commitment to extending the benefits of OneWeb LEO connectivity in support of national digital initiatives,” said Baudrier.
According to Airtel Gabon managing director Thomas Herbert Gutjahr, the project extends beyond connectivity and is in line with the country's broader digital transformation agenda.
“Working with Eutelsat, the government and partners such as SETRAG, we are supporting onboard services that enhance passenger comfort and integrate digital solutions into Gabon’s rail network,” he said.
The Gabon rail deployment also highlights Eutelsat’s wider LEO expansion drive across Africa.
It follows a separate multi-year agreement signed in November 2025 with Paratus Group to extend OneWeb connectivity across South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, in a coordinated strategy to bridge the digital divide across transport networks and public services on the continent.
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