By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
Chief Executive Officer of SES, Adel Al-Saleh, has underscored the rapid growth
of the global space economy and the increasing importance of satellite
technology as core infrastructure across industries.
Speaking
at the Semafor World Economy Summit, Al-Saleh said advancements in
telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and multi-orbit satellite networks
are accelerating innovation and reshaping how governments, businesses, and
communities access connectivity.
He
noted that satellite deployment cycles have significantly shortened, with
systems that previously took five to seven years to develop now being delivered
on a much faster, near-annual basis. This shift, he said, is enabling more
secure, low-latency connectivity solutions that support national resilience,
digital sovereignty, and economic development.
Al-Saleh
emphasized that satellite technology is no longer viewed as a backup option but
has become an integral component of modern digital infrastructure, particularly
in addressing connectivity gaps and supporting critical services.
The
panel discussion also explored future developments in the space sector,
including the emergence of in-space computing and new service models expected
to transform the industry over the coming decade.
The
session, moderated by Alexis Akwagyiram, featured contributions from industry
leaders, including Ziad Dalloul, and focused on the role of collaboration and
innovation in building resilience in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Participants
highlighted the need for continued partnerships between public and private
sector actors to harness the full potential of space technologies in driving
sustainable growth on Earth and beyond.
