A Kenyan mechanical engineer with a global footprint, Rama Afullo began as one of Tesla’s first employees in Africa, where he launched energy solutions for the telco market.
- •He later joined SpaceX, working closely with Elon Musk on Starlink, an initiative that revolutionized satellite internet.
- •Now, as the founder and CEO of Satlyt, Rama is redefining space connectivity with his vision of networking satellites to enhance global communication.
In a recent interview with The Kenyan Wall Street, Rama reflected on how working closely with Elon Musk shaped his entrepreneurial journey:
“Elon Musk is remarkable at galvanizing people around a common vision. That ability to inspire was key to driving innovation at Tesla and SpaceX. However, I realized my passion was building something unique that fosters collaboration rather than competition, which led to founding Satlyt.”
Rama also emphasized the potential for African countries to leapfrog into the burgeoning space economy:
“Every serious government should have a space program. Beyond earth observation, the space industry presents untapped opportunities for economic growth, and Africa has the chance to lead.”
With Satlyt, Rama is championing an “Android-like” model for space technology—open, flexible, and designed for interconnectivity. This approach contrasts with Starlink’s closed system and aims to unlock new applications, from AI research to data sovereignty.
Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5hvW5AKsEE
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