Space42's Ali Al Hashemi Leads the Global Satellite Industry
Space42’s Ali Al Hashemi has been elected Chairman of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA), marking a milestone for the telecommunications and satellite industries.
Al Hashemi, CEO of Space42’s Space Services unit, becomes the first Emirati to lead the world’s premier satellite industry body, bringing more than 20 years of leadership across telecommunications, aerospace and defence.
A proven leader in satellite and telecom
With a career that includes overseeing key initiatives such as the successful launch of the Thuraya-4 satellite in January 2025 and the rollout of direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity across Africa, Ali Al Hashemi commands extensive experience in fixed and mobility satellite services.
Before the merger that formed Space42, he served as Group CEO of Yahsat, leading its IPO, one of the largest on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and integrating Thuraya into its portfolio.
His leadership has earned international recognition, featuring in Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 CEOs for 2023 and 2024.
Al Hashemi chairs the Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre (AMMROC) and sits on the boards of the UAE Space Agency and the National Space Science and Technology Centre, illustrating his influence in telecommunications and space innovation.
Steering GSOA’s mission for telecom growth
GSOA represents the whole satellite ecosystem globally, encompassing geostationary, non-geostationary, earth observation, launch providers, manufacturers and ground segment players.
The association is widely respected by regulators and standards bodies, including 3GPP and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for its advocacy on spectrum access, balanced regulation and sustainable space utilisation.
Ali Al Hashemi’s election coincides with a strengthened leadership team comprising Vice Chairs Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES and Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, CEO of NigComSat.
His leadership brings broad regional representation spanning Europe, Africa and the Middle East, supporting GSOA’s aim to promote an inclusive, innovative and sustainable satellite communications sector.
Al Hashemi says: “This is deeply meaningful to me personally and professionally.
“Having served as Vice Chair since 2023, this election reflects the trust and confidence my fellow leaders have placed in me. I am honoured by this responsibility and excited to build on GSOA’s incredible foundation.
“I look forward to driving innovation and collaboration in an industry that literally connects our world.”
UAE’s rising role in global satellite telecom
The UAE has rapidly cemented itself as a key global space and telecom partner.
Beyond connectivity, the UAE demonstrates ambition in exploration and R&D, launching the Hope Probe Mars mission and expanding astronaut programmes, which highlight the country’s growing technical expertise and international collaborations in aerospace.
Boosting telecommunications ecosystem collaboration
With Ali Al Hashemi’s leadership, GSOA aims to maintain satellite communications as a resilient pillar of global telecom infrastructure, addressing emerging challenges from regulatory frameworks to orbital environment management.
Supporting the sector’s broader impact, GSOA advocates for the satellite’s role in bridging digital divides, supporting emergency response, climate monitoring and enabling universal broadband access vital for telecom networks worldwide.
Ali Al Hashemi’s election signals a shift towards greater Middle East representation in global satellite policy and innovation.
It strengthens the UAE’s position as both a regional telecommunications leader and an influential voice in the international satellite telecommunications community.
For telecommunications operators and industry stakeholders, the GSOA under Al Hashemi’s chairmanship represents a unified voice advancing a connected, sustainable and secure satellite communications future crucial to global network resilience and digital transformation.
