🚀 When internet coverage through landline or mobile is weak, for some years now you immediately look up - for internet from space.

The battle for global internet from space is heating up! Here’s the latest:

• Starlink 🌍: 8,000+ satellites, 200 Mbps speeds, and millions of users worldwide. Direct-to-cell service is rolling out, making access even easier
• Amazon’s Kuiper 🛰️: Over 100 satellites already in orbit, over 3.200 planned, with commercial service starting late 2025. Affordable, fast internet for all is the goal
• EU’s IRIS² 🇪🇺: 290 satellites by 2027, split between Low and Medium Earth Orbit (LEO / MEO), focusing on security, sovereignty, and resilience

This isn’t just about speed—it’s about connecting the unconnected, empowering economies, and ensuring no one is left behind.

How will satellite internet change your work or community? Let’s talk! ⬇️

#SatelliteInternet #Starlink #ProjectKuiper #IRIS2 #DigitalFuture #ConnectivityForAll

I was recently again involved in discussions about improving internet connectivity in Africa. The current situation, in terms of internet connectivity on the continental scale, revealed a landscape of both progress and potential:

• A robust backbone: Africa’s internet infrastructure is already impressive—a ring of subsea cables encircles the continent, providing critical connectivity.
• Local exchange, global reach: Major Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in Johannesburg and Nairobi keep African traffic local, reducing latency and costs.
• New hubs emerging: #German DE-CIX - which provides network interconnection services and operates several carrier and data center neutral internet exchanges internationally - is expanding this network with IXPs in Kinshasa (ACIX) and Lagos (AF-CIX), further strengthening regional resilience.

Yet, challenges remain. Vulnerabilities persist: Damage to subsea cables can still disrupt connectivity, and repair capacities are limited, leading to prolonged outages.

The takeaway? Africa is building its own digital future—with strong foundations already in place, but still in need of further investment to ensure reliability and reach.

#DigitalAfrica #InternetInfrastructure #Connectivity #DECIX #IXP

I just recently posted about a paper describing how “Conjuring a Blockchain Pilot” worked in #HumanitarianAid in the early days of the #blockchain hype.

This article by Martine Dahl-Bastiansen published on the London School of Economics and Political Science (#LSE) website presents a variety of applications in the field.

As I am not familiar with all the projects described there, I cannot endorse them in terms of their meaningful and responsible use of blockchain technology.

So even when decentralised technology is used, many of these projects seem to continue to reflect centralised procedures. Moreover, the mere use of technology does not indicate acceptance if people have no alternative but to use the system defined by international donors.

Again: In the end, technology should not be first; it should be critically assessed, even if one is confident about the opportunities in selected use cases. And design should start with the people and communities, which the support should help to improve their living and create opportunities. #FutureOfCooperation #blockchain #web3

Read the post: How Blockchain is Contributing to the Humanitarian Sector as of 2025

🛰️ IRIS²: Europe’s Answer to Secure, Sovereign Satellite Internet

Many countries with limited telecom infrastructure are turning to satellite internet—often to Starlink. But relying on a single, geostrategically sensitive provider comes with risks: data sovereignty, dependency, and unpredictable access.

Enter IRIS², the EU’s new secure satellite constellation. Designed for resilience, interoperability, and security, IRIS² aims to provide high-speed, encrypted connectivity across Europe and beyond, especially where cables and towers fail.

Why it matters:

• Digital sovereignty: No more reliance on non-EU providers for critical communications.
• Multi-orbit resilience: Combines LEO and MEO satellites for low latency and global coverage.
• Beyond broadband: Supports crisis management, healthcare, and secure government operations.
• Future-proof: Built for 5G/6G, quantum-safe encryption, and seamless integration with terrestrial networks.

First services start in 2029, full deployment by 2030. A strategic move—not just for Europe, but for any region seeking independent, reliable connectivity.

🚀 Read more

#DigitalSovereignty #SatelliteInternet #IRIS2 #InternationalCooperation

Blockchain based solutions in #InternationalDevelopment seem to slowly pass the trough of disillusionment, entering the slope of enlightenment, following the Cycle of Overblown Hopes and Shattered Dreams defined by a large research and advisory firm.

But that does not mean the same mechanisms may again kick in that lead to the overstated expectations of the hype phase.

In the field of humanitarian aid, the paper ‘Conjuring a Blockchain Pilot: Ignorance and Innovation in Humanitarian Aid’, describes the mechanisms that came into play during the initial hype surrounding blockchain technology. While I do not agree with all of the paper’s arguments, I believe it provides a concise description of the dynamics within the sector that is also relevant to development cooperation.

In the end, technology should not be first; it should be critically assessed, even if one is confident about the opportunities in selected use cases. And design should start with the people and communities, which the support should help to improve their living and create opportunities. #FutureOfCooperation #blockchain #web3

In June, I shared a vision for the future of German government-funded development cooperation. The response was very positive, sparking many insightful discussions. Thank you for your engagement and valuable contributions!

Encouraged by your feedback, I am preparing a revised and refined version in German to continue this important dialogue.

My initial argument centred on the need to distinguish between different approaches to international cooperation in the German context. I proposed three pillars to focus the ministry of economic cooperation and development’s portfolio:

• Community-based work to unlock positive economic and social dynamics - the concept that replaces the traditional „development cooperation“ approach.
• Economic cooperation based on mutual benefit and high ethical standards.
• Support for low-resource countries to exercise “smart sovereignty” in international governance.

I believe that separating these pillars can help better align expectations of all involved parties aligned, which helps to consistently design the modes of cooperation and processes with the different stakeholders.

However, I was also told that some of my messages could be clearer. In the first pillar, I linked the argument for creating this specific pillar with the recommendation to fundamentally change the whole concept of ‘development cooperation’. Therefore, in my revision, I will separate these elements to present a more structured argument.

Interestingly, one aspect that was agreed upon without much debate was the suggestion to focus one column on economic cooperation involving, and even promoting, German and European companies based on high ethical standards.

The most significant revisions will be made to the third pillar, which I initially proposed should focus on the fair participation of low-resource countries in international governance. I intend to expand this perspective to include a broader view covering global public goods in areas such as climate and health. As governance is also a key component there, additional elements may be required to ensure the provision of these goods. This could include financing mechanisms for global public goods, such as health and vaccination initiatives.

I look forward to sharing my revised thoughts with you soon in both German and English, and continuing a productive discussions. Stay tuned!

#DevelopmentCooperation #InternationalGovernance #GlobalPublicGoods #FutureOfCooperation

Anyone in #InternationalDevelopment who still thinks that things could more or less continue as they have in previous decades, but with improved communication to maintain government funding, should listen to Douglas Alexander. He served as International Development Secretary from 2007 to 2010, and is now the UK’s Trade Minister:

Alexander said he had long believed it was “morally right” and “strategically smart” to invest in international aid but added: “I think we have lost the argument at various points.”

“We have an interest in building a stable, more equal, more safe world for our future generations,” he said. “But public consent has been withdrawn. And truthfully on aid, it’s not just fiscally challenged, it’s culturally challenged as well. Even if the money weren’t tight, the argument would have to be made.”

The whole concept needs to be rethought from the ground up, with a focus on reconnecting with the people on both sides of the system: those in the countries that should benefit from it, as well as those providing the funding. #FutureOfCooperation

Article from BBC: We’ve lost the argument on aid, says minister

Full interview (30 min) from the “Political Thinking with Nick Robinson” podcast

🚀 Deutsche #Entwicklungszusammenarbeit neu denken! Der derzeitige Ansatz scheitert an der Vermischung widersprüchlicher Ziele. Er sollte als #InternationaleZusammenarbeit mit klar abgegrenzten Konzepten gestrafft werden:

1️⃣ Community-Led Growth 🌱: Lokale Eigenverantwortung für nachhaltigen Wandel

2️⃣ Ethical Business Partnerships: Faire Zusammenarbeit und Handel, gemeinsamer Wohlstand.

3️⃣ Faire globale Governance: Marginalisierten Stimmen Gehör verschaffen.

Lesen Sie den vollständigen Beitrag (4 Min. Lesezeit) in meinem Blog.

Klarheit = Wirkung. Zeit, sich zu fokussieren!

#FutureOfCooperation