Thuraya, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) provider, on Tuesday officially launched its services in South Sudan as part of an ambitious strategy to expand its market in the region.

Thuraya has partnered with South Sudan’s Gate for Technologies (G4T) Company, which will act as the local service provider offering a diverse range of products and solutions to cater to the mobile communication needs of the country’s populace.

Thuraya’s services encompass voice calling, SMS messaging, data services, and location-based services.

During the launch held in Juba on Tuesday, Elijah Alier Kuai, the Managing Director of South Sudan Media Authority, expressed his commitment to driving policies that will foster development in the communications sector.

“We are delighted today to announce Gate for Technologies as the official representative of Thuraya in South Sudan. Thuraya is set to bridge the connectivity gap in areas where access has been a challenge,” he declared. “As the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services, we are dedicated to spearheading policies that will accelerate progress in the communication sector.”

For his part, Eng. Sami Hagana, Thuraya’s Associate Vice President, emphasized the core objective of the launch which he said is to extend their network services to benefit the South Sudanese population.

“We have ventured into South Sudan to expand our network and services and we are excited to collaborate with Gate for Technologies as our partner,” he said.

At the same function, the Director General of the National Communication Authority (NCA), Napoleon Adok Gai, highlighted the pressing need for improved connectivity in the country.

“We acknowledge Thuraya’s significant contributions, particularly in South Sudan, where communication has historically been a challenge across vast regions,” he stated. “To this day, we estimate that 60 percent of our country’s population still lacks access to reliable communication.”

Thuraya’s entry into the South Sudanese market marks a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and improving communication infrastructure in the region. The partnership with Gate for Technologies Company is expected to facilitate access to Thuraya’s cutting-edge mobile services for the benefit of a substantial portion of South Sudan’s population.