The “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages” project, conceived during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2015, aims to connect 10,000 African villages with satellite TV.
NAIROBI, April 4 (Xinhua) — Bako Auta, a resident of Hulumi village in Nigeria, vividly remembers the transformative impact of China’s digital television aid initiative.
“Before this, our lives were limited to the village. The televisions donated by China allowed us to see the world beyond the fence,” Auta said of the installation of free equipment by Chinese digital television company StarTimes before seven years.
Auta’s experience is similar to that of many beneficiaries across Africa who have been touched by the Satellite TV Access for 10,000 African Villages project in remote rural areas.
The initiative, conceived during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2015, aims to connect 10,000 African villages to satellite television.
By December 2023, this China-assisted project had successfully completed construction work in 20 African countries, covering 9,512 villages and directly benefiting more than 190,000 households.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the Chinese-backed satellite TV program in Mozambique, President Filipe Nyusi praised its role in bridging the digital and information divide between rural and urban populations. He emphasized its importance in enhancing livelihoods, promoting public education and promoting social development.
Under the project, each recipient village received two sets of solar TV projector systems and a complete solar digital TV terminal system for public spaces, free of charge, contractor StarTimes confirmed. These facilities have become vital conduits for villagers to access information from the outside world.
Murindahabi Augustin, a resident of an assisted village in Rwanda, expressed his gratitude. “Through television, we can get information about modern agriculture, government programs, prevention of infectious diseases and much more,” Augustin said.
StarTimes broadcast all 52 matches of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in early 2024 to wide acclaim. The inclusion of commentary in local languages such as Kiswahili, Yoruba and Hausa resonated with fans.
“Thanks to the Chinese companies that connected satellite TV signals for our village, we can now finally sit together as a family and watch games!” said Abissa Kouassi, a villager from the village of Yaou in Ivory Coast.
Ma Shaoyong, director of overseas PR for StarTimes Group, highlighted the company’s efforts to democratize digital television across Africa. He also highlighted the significantly reduced installation and display costs, making it accessible to average households.
“The installation cost for a StarTimes decoder is as low as US$10, with subscribers required to pay a monthly fee ranging between US$3-5, providing access to nearly 30 digital TV channels covering news, sports and movies,” Ma said.
To ensure the sustainability of the project, StarTimes has trained local technicians in the recipient villages to carry out after sales maintenance. Nunes Guardagea, a technician from Mozambique, finds deep fulfillment in his role.
“I’m able to help people in remote areas access information and enrich their lives,” Guardagea said.
As the project continues to illuminate remote areas of Africa, StarTimes is advancing its localization strategy. In Kenya, the company has invested in producing local dramas, reaching audiences using Kiswahili.■