Jean-Claude Tshipama joins Eutelsat to head up Broadband in Africa

Paris, 26 April 2018 – Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced having finalised the staffing of its teams in charge of broadband activities with the appointment of Jean-Claude Tshipama, who will be heading Broadband in Africa to promote satellite broadband connectivity in Africa.

A seasoned expert in Africa’s telecommunications

With an executive MBA and a Master's degree in economics, Jean-Claude Tshipama started his career in the telecommunications industry in the 2000s. He was the Commercial Director of Celtel in DR Congo, Director of sales and distribution at Digicel Group and later Director of sales and distribution for Africa at Microsoft Corporation. More recently, he served as CEO of Canal+ in DR Congo. He sits as a non-executive Director on the Board of Equity Bank in Kenya.

In his new role as CEO of Broadband in Africa, Jean-Claude Tshipama’s core mission will be to ensure that Eutelsat’s broadband business is successfully deployed across Africa, drawing on the in-orbit resources of the Al Yah 3 satellite which will operate the service after entering operational service during next summer. The operation of the Al Yah 3 satellite will be followed next year by the launch of the KONNECT satellite[1].

A comprehensive team dedicated to the growth of Eutelsat’s broadband business

Jean-Claude Tshipama’s appointment adds the final touch to the composition of the teams in charge of Eutelsat’s fixed broadband activities, led by two senior executives with extensive experience in the telecommunications and Pay TV industries: Béatrice Beau as Executive VP for global broadband services, and Catherine Carde, who heads up broadband activities on the European continent. Jean-Claude Tshipama and Catherine Carde both report to Béatrice Beau.

The broadband business will be one of the main focuses of Eutelsat’s growth strategy in the coming years. This was evidenced recently by the order of the KONNECT VHTS satellite, a next-generation very high throughput satellite, whose footprint will cover Europe as from 2021.

Michel Azibert, Eutelsat Chief Commercial and Development Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jean-Claude Tshipama to Eutelsat. His expert knowledge of the African market serving various industries, particularly telecommunications, will be a valuable asset to us in achieving our strong ambitions on this continent. We are now in perfect shape and looking forward to expanding our business in the fast-growing fixed broadband sector.”

[1]Formerly called African Broadband satellite.