A new partnership between satellite network operator Intelsat and the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) is set to bring internet access to conflict-affected regions in South Sudan and Uganda.
The deal will see ten WPDI Community Learning Centres connected to high-speed internet via satellite. Seven centres are in South Sudan and three in Uganda.
The aim is to improve digital access in areas where infrastructure has been limited or damaged, giving thousands of young people access to online education and skills training.
“Education is the foundation for peace,” said Forest Whitaker, the actor and humanitarian who founded WPDI.
“At WPDI, we use technology as a conduit to opportunity—bringing knowledge to young people whose lives have been upended by violence and political unrest. With the right tools, youths can reclaim their futures to become powerful agents of peace in their communities,” he said.
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Intelsat will provide equipment, installation, and managed services over a three-year period. The company will also support ongoing technical needs.
The move comes amid growing concern over the global digital divide. According to the International Telecommunication Union, just 19% of people in the world’s least developed countries use the internet.
In areas affected by conflict, the number is often even lower, further limiting access to education and job opportunities.
“At Intelsat, we are great believers in the power of connectivity to promote education and sustainable development around the world,” said the firm’s CEO Dave Wajsgras.
“Forest Whitaker and WPDI’s efforts represent exactly the kind of transformative work that satellite communications can enable.”
Graduates of WPDI programmes have gone on to become teachers, business owners and local leaders. One former child soldier, Benson Lugwar, is now a radio host and elected official in Uganda.
With internet access, WPDI says its centres can expand their digital learning options, including virtual courses and cross-border exchanges. Lessons in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and peacebuilding are already part of its curriculum.
