Liquid Dataport and Viasat sign a Memorandum of Understanding to improve connectivity services for business and consumers in West Africa.

Cassava Technologies-owned Liquid Dataport has partnered with global communications firm Viasat to improve connectivity services in West Africa.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will enable Liquid Dataport to offer Viasat’s connectivity services, working through local partners.

The tie-up was announced today, with Liquid and Viasat saying they intend to focus on the potential commercialisation and distribution of satellite broadband to reduce internet connectivity costs and improve data connections across the region.

Viasat is a provider of high-speed satellite broadband services and secure networking systems covering military and commercial markets.

While Liquid Dataport is responsible for the international wholesale business of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, its satellite services and is taking the lead to implement Liquid’s service platform strategy.

“The MOU we have signed with Viasat will increase the data connectivity options that businesses and consumers in West Africa can have at their disposal. The reduced costs for connectivity is good news for our enterprise customers businesses,” said Hardy Pemhiwa, president and Group CEO, Cassava Technologies.

Scott Mumford, Liquid Dataport chief commercial officer, added: “We believe there will be immense opportunities for the increased adoption of satellite connectivity in the African market as Viasat continues to expand its presence across the continent”

As a part of Viasat’s expansion into Africa, the company’s next-generation ViaSat-3 satellite constellation is expected to deliver connectivity services to the EMEA region.

Peter Langkilde, general manager: EMEA, Viasat, said: “Viasat’s ability to deliver affordable and high-quality connectivity where it is needed most, even in the hardest-to-reach regions, continues to expand as we launch our next-generation ViaSat-3 global satellite constellation. We’re thrilled to work with Liquid Dataport to help reduce Africa’s digital gap and create new opportunities through digital inclusion.”

Viasat and Liquid Intelligent Technologies independently announced recent agreements with the Microsoft Airband Initiative to deliver internet access to millions of underserved people in Africa by the end of 2025, targeting countries that include the DRC, Nigeria, Senegal, Angola, Tanzania, and Zambia.