Top 10 African Countries Where Elon Musk’s Starlink Is Operational

In Summary

• Starlink expanded in Africa based on regulatory approvals and licensing speed, rather than population or market size.
• Countries that launched early often had critical connectivity gaps or limited terrestrial infrastructure, making satellite broadband impactful.
• The arrival of Starlink is influencing national internet policies, digital planning, and rural connectivity strategies across the continent.

Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, January 29,  2026 - Satellite internet systems like Elon Musk’s Starlink deliver broadband connectivity through a network of low Earth orbit satellites rather than relying on ground-based networks such as fiber cables or mobile towers. This approach allows countries to deploy high-speed internet without building extensive physical infrastructure, making it an alternative way for places with limited terrestrial networks to expand connectivity. By 2025, Starlink was available in at least 18 African countries, demonstrating rapid expansion across the continent. 

This ranking lists the first 10 African countries where Starlink became officially operational, ordered by the date services began. It does not measure digital maturity or economic size, but rather regulatory timing and rollout sequence factors such as licensing speed, spectrum approvals, and government coordination, which determine how quickly Starlink could launch in each country. Early operations in a country often reflect regulatory engagement and readiness to integrate satellite broadband into local telecom ecosystems.

Internet access across Africa remains lower than global averages. As of 2025, only about 38 % of the continent’s population has internet access, and fixed-broadband subscriptions remain very low, with most users relying on mobile networks.  In several markets where Starlink has launched, early subscription figures already show uptake. For example, Nigeria had over 65,000 active Starlink users by late 2025, making it one of the largest satellite internet markets on the continent.  Understanding where Starlink went operational first helps explain how satellite broadband is being integrated into national connectivity strategies and may influence how internet access grows in areas with limited traditional infrastructure.

10. South Sudan

South Sudan became one of the latest African countries where Starlink officially launched, beginning services in July 2024 after approval from the National Communications Authority (NCA). This made it #10 on the list of African countries with operational Starlink networks. Local regulators set clear tariffs and licensing conditions, requiring users to register and pay in South Sudanese pounds equivalent to US dollar rates, and warned against unauthorized importation of Starlink equipment under the National Communication Act of 2012. 

The digital landscape in South Sudan before Starlink’s launch was extremely limited. As of early 2024, only about 12.1 % of the population had internet access, roughly 1.36 million people, far below the continental average. Mobile penetration was higher at around 35.5 %, but still low relative to many African peers.  This low uptake reflected persistent infrastructure gaps: traditional fiber networks are scarce, mobile data coverage remains limited outside urban centers, and digital literacy rates are also low, with adult literacy around 27 % nationwide, compounding adoption challenges. 

Since the Starlink rollout, connectivity has shown signs of measurable improvement. By 2025, the NCA reported that internet users in South Sudan had risen from 1.36 million to 1.9 million, raising overall penetration to about 15.7 % within a year, while mobile connections grew to 4.47 million.  These gains are partly linked to Starlink’s availability alongside mobile and fixed networks, especially in areas where traditional infrastructure was previously absent.

Yet challenges remain. The cost of Starlink equipment and subscriptions is high in a country where average incomes are low, and many households struggle with basic connectivity affordability. The cheapest Starlink plan starts at roughly USD 38 per month, and essential equipment can cost several hundred dollars, a high entry barrier for most citizens.  Additionally, while partnerships with local operators like MTN South Sudan have expanded distribution and support, integrating satellite broadband sustainably into national networks will require continued regulatory alignment, digital skills training, and broader infrastructure investment to ensure the service benefits education, healthcare, and enterprise sectors across both urban and rural communities. 

9. Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone became the ninth African country where Starlink’s satellite internet service launched, beginning operations in June 2024 after the National Communications Authority (NaTCA) granted an official licence in 2023. This milestone also marked Sierra Leone as the 100th country globally where Starlink became available, expanding the company’s footprint and offering high‑speed satellite broadband to a market long underserved by reliable internet options. 

Before Starlink’s rollout, Sierra Leone’s internet landscape showed clear limitations. At the start of 2025, approximately 1.85 million people, about 20.8 % of the population, used the internet, despite mobile network coverage climbing to nearly 79 % with 4G available in many areas.  Although cellular mobile connections exceeded the total population count (due to multiple SIM use), adoption of actual internet services lagged, and the median fixed broadband speed remained below global norms, at around 11.6 Mbps vs. the global average of 58 Mbps.  These figures reflected structural issues like costs, digital skills gaps, and inconsistent infrastructure, culminating in only about one in five Sierra Leoneans being online. 

The launch of Starlink introduced a high‑capacity alternative to traditional providers, particularly for districts and institutions facing chronic connectivity challenges. In an emergency health context, Starlink was deployed across all 14 administrative districts within 48 hours to support real‑time data reporting during outbreaks, demonstrating a tangible utility beyond urban centres.  However, uptake among households and businesses has faced economic constraints. Residential hardware and service pricing, including equipment costs and priority data plans, remain high relative to national income levels, with a base plan and kit costs that can be substantial for average earners.  These costs limit broader adoption, especially where cheaper mobile data or lower‑cost fixed broadband is still preferred.

Institutional gains are notable, but Sierra Leone still grapples with connectivity inequality. Urban centres like Freetown, Bo, and Kenema see faster delivery and better availability of Starlink equipment, while rural areas often contend with power supply gaps and limited technical support.  Partnerships such as Airtel Africa’s announced plan to integrate Starlink’s direct‑to‑cell technology across multiple markets from 2026 could further expand access, potentially making satellite connectivity compatible with standard mobile handsets and lowering entry barriers for lower‑income users. 

8. Eswatini

Eswatini became the eighth African country where Starlink’s satellite internet service officially launched, beginning operations in December 2023 after receiving a licence earlier that year. This placed Eswatini at #8 on the list of African countries where SpaceX’s satellite broadband is commercially available. The rollout followed regulatory approval and technical compliance checks, enabling Starlink to offer services at rand‑based pricing, a notable first that could inform pricing strategies in neighbouring markets like South Africa in the future. 

At the time of launch, Eswatini already had a relatively high internet adoption level compared with many African countries. By early 2025, about 57.6 % of the population, roughly 720 000 people, used the internet, and mobile penetration exceeded population count due to multiple SIM ownership.  Yet fixed broadband remained limited, with fewer than 30 000 fixed connections nationwide, and much of the country’s backbone infrastructure was concentrated along the urban corridor  Mbabane‑Manzini.  This context meant that while connectivity existed, many areas still experienced slower speeds and inconsistent service quality.

Starlink’s service brought measurable improvements in connection capacity and performance. Independent measurements show Starlink delivering median broadband speeds well above local alternatives, with average download speeds of around 145 Mb/s, compared with fixed‑line speeds near 22 Mb/s and mobile averages below 15 Mb/s in 2025 across the country.  Such performance made high‑bandwidth applications like video conferencing, cloud services access, and content streaming more feasible, particularly for businesses and institutions that previously relied on low‑capacity networks.

Despite this performance edge, affordability and distribution remain challenges in Eswatini. Starlink’s residential plans cost about R950 per month, plus a regulatory fee and equipment costs that can exceed R12 000 for hardware and installation, a price point that many average households may find high relative to incomes.  Partnerships with local resellers such as Paratus Eswatini have helped expand availability, support installation, and promote business and educational use cases, but sustained growth will depend on integration with national connectivity strategies, pricing structures that match local purchasing power, and continued competition with existing ISPs. 

7. Zambia

Zambia was officially among the early African adopters of Starlink, with satellite internet services going live in October 2023 following regulatory approval earlier that year, securing an operating licence in June 2023. This made Zambia the seventh African country on the Starlink operational list. The government’s public endorsement, including statements from President Hakainde Hichilema framing the launch as a step toward broader digital access, underscored national interest in diversifying broadband options. 

Digital adoption in Zambia shows a mixed picture. By the end of 2025, about 7.29 million individuals were internet users, representing roughly 33 % of the population. There were **23.5 million active mobile connections, equivalent to 106 % of the population, reflecting heavy use of cellular data services, even though not all connections equate to unique internet users.  This scenario illustrates a common pattern in many African markets: broad access to mobile networks, but actual internet use concentrated among a smaller share of people. Broadband speeds average modestly on traditional networks, with fixed broadband often under 10 Mbps in many areas, while mobile broadband speeds can vary widely across providers. 

Starlink’s entry added a higher‑speed alternative. Independent speed tests show Starlink delivering average download speeds around 70 Mb/s significantly above many local fixed or mobile providers in Zambia, and better upload performance.  The service’s performance has been particularly valuable for institutions, commercial operations, and rural users seeking stable connections for larger data tasks. Additionally, the tilt toward rural coverage has been supported by the deployment of over 500 Starlink units and 14 communication towers into less‑connected regions, part of broader government efforts to use digital tools for public services and rural inclusion. 

Affordability and adoption remain key challenges. Official data and local pricing indicate Starlink hardware costs are often above 10 744 Zambian kwacha (about USD 505) for a kit, and monthly subscriptions around 507 kwacha (about USD 24) represent a high cost relative to average incomes.  While partnerships with service distributors such as Paratus Zambia have improved availability, the price point still places Starlink above many mobile plans for the average user. Continued adoption beyond early institutional and business users will largely depend on adjustments in pricing, supportive policies to integrate satellite broadband into national ICT strategies, and programs that bring down equipment costs for households. These factors will determine whether Starlink helps close Zambia’s digital access gaps or remains a niche high‑capacity option in a market still dominated by mobile‑centric internet users.

6. Benin

Benin became the sixth African country where Starlink officially launched, starting services in November 2023 after regulatory approval and licensing agreements were completed. On its launch, Starlink announced monthly service pricing at around 30 000 CFA francs (about USD 49) with a one‑time equipment cost of approximately 400 000 CFA francs (~USD 655) plus regulatory fees, making the total setup cost a significant investment for many households. Users also pay a separate monthly fee (about CFA 3 125 / USD 5) to access spectrum through the national regulator ARCEP. 

Before and after Starlink’s entry, Benin’s broader digital context showed both progress and persistent gaps. At the start of 2025, around 4.8 million people, about 32.2 % of the population, were internet users, and there were roughly 16.4 million active mobile connections (equivalent to 110 % of the population), indicating widespread mobile network access but lower actual internet adoption.  4G mobile coverage reached an estimated 88–90 % of the population, including 63 % in rural areas, but many people within these coverage areas remain offline due to cost or device limitations, a gap known as the “usage gap.” 

Starlink’s service delivered significantly faster speeds compared with most local options. Independent tests show Starlink averaging about 68.3 Mbps download and 13.9 Mbps upload, notably higher than many fixed and mobile alternatives in Benin, where typical broadband speeds for local ISPs cluster below 30 Mbps.  This performance opened new possibilities for businesses, educational institutions, and government offices that require reliable, higher‑capacity connections, particularly for video conferencing, cloud applications, and larger file transfers. Part of the adoption narrative includes initiatives like the CoinEx Charity Starlink Program, which provided satellite connectivity to universities and training institutes, directly linking students to high‑speed networks and digital learning resources. 

Despite these gains, affordability and broader adoption remain key challenges. The cost of equipment and monthly plans is high relative to average incomes and typical spending on mobile data, which remains the dominant means of internet access. Many users still rely primarily on mobile networks, while a large share of the population, approximately two‑thirds, remains offline.  Long‑term growth will depend on strategies that lower the barrier to entry, tie satellite services into national digital inclusion plans, and expand use beyond affluent urban users and institutions. Partnerships with local resellers and programs targeting affordability, device access, and digital literacy will be essential for turning Benin’s early satellite internet availability into broader national connectivity gains.

5. Malawi

Malawi became one of the earlier African adopters of Starlink, with services going live in July 2023 after formal approval from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA). This placed Malawi at 5 on the list of African countries where Starlink is operational. Regulators outlined clear conditions for use, including compliance with local licensing and spectrum usage rules, and established tariff structures for both residential and institutional customers shortly after the launch.

Before Starlink’s entry, Malawi’s broader connectivity environment showed significant limitations. In 2023, total internet usage in Malawi was estimated at roughly 18 % of the population, among the lowest on the continent, despite mobile network coverage exceeding 65 % in urban centres and dipping below 40 % in many rural areas. Fixed broadband penetration was negligible, with fewer than 10 000 fixed connections nationwide. Average mobile broadband speeds were modest, typically ranging between 8 Mbps and 15 Mbps, depending on location and operator, making high‑bandwidth services like video meetings or cloud‑based systems difficult for many users. 

Starlink introduced a higher‑capacity alternative to traditional networks in areas where telecom build‑out was slow or absent. Independent speed tests in 2024 showed that Starlink connections in Malawi often delivered average download speeds above 90 Mbps and upload speeds near 15 Mbps, compared to local mobile averages that were frequently below 15 Mbps. These performance gains helped institutions such as universities and health facilities maintain stable connections for digital learning and remote consultation systems, especially in regions outside major cities. 

Despite these performance advantages, adoption among ordinary households in Malawi has remained constrained by cost. Starlink equipment, including the satellite dish and router, can exceed MK 1,500,000 (about USD 1,850), and monthly subscription fees typically start above USD 50, placing the service well above the price points of basic mobile data bundles. For many Malawians, where median monthly incomes are low, these costs remain prohibitive. Mobile data, though slower, continues to be the primary means of internet access for most users due to affordability and ubiquity.

Institutional uptake reflects clear strategic value. Government offices, NGOs, and educational institutions have adopted Starlink for consistent connectivity where fibre or reliable mobile broadband is not sustainable. Partnerships between Starlink providers and local ICT firms have also helped build technical support networks. However, for Starlink to significantly shift Malawi’s overall internet adoption, currently far below the African average of about 38 %, structural efforts such as pricing incentives, device subsidies, and national digital literacy programs will be necessary to ensure broader, affordable access beyond high‑cost urban usage.

4. Kenya

Kenya became one of the earliest African countries to adopt Starlink, with satellite internet services launching in July 2023 after regulatory clearance from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). This put Kenya at #4 on the list of African countries where Starlink was operational. The government’s regulatory framework for satellite services already existed, which helped expedite licensing. Kenya’s relatively advanced digital ecosystem and established tech sector made it one of the most strategically important early markets for Starlink in Africa.

Before Starlink’s rollout, Kenya’s internet landscape was already more developed than many peers. By late 2024, the country had an internet penetration rate of about 42 % and over 27 million active mobile internet users, supported by widespread 4G and growing 5G deployment in urban areas such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. However, rural connectivity gaps persisted, with many remote counties still underserved by fibre and mobile broadband infrastructure. Mobile broadband speeds varied significantly, with urban 4G averages often exceeding 30 Mbps, while rural areas often saw speeds under 10 Mbps. Fixed broadband adoption remained modest at around 2 % of the population, largely limited to business districts and high‑income residential areas. Data from independent speed indexes showed median fixed broadband speeds around 55 Mbps, while some rural mobile connections lingered near 10–15 Mbps.

Starlink’s introduction in Kenya brought a higher‑speed satellite alternative, particularly relevant for rural and peri‑urban areas. Independent speed tests conducted post‑launch showed Starlink delivering median download speeds near 85–110 Mbps and upload speeds between 10–25 Mbps, markedly above many rural mobile options. These speeds enabled more reliable participation in high‑bandwidth activities such as real‑time video conferencing, cloud backups, and digital learning platform services that are often less reliable on slower networks. Early adopters included educational institutions in remote counties, agritech enterprises requiring real‑time data, and NGOs relying on stable uplinks for reporting and coordination.

Despite strong performance, pricing remains a key constraint for widespread household adoption. Starlink hardware costs in Kenya typically exceed KES 65,000 (about USD 450), while monthly service plans generally start above USD 50, higher than many mobile broadband bundles. This makes Starlink more attractive for institutional users, SMEs with specific connectivity needs, and households with higher disposable income. For everyday mobile users, affordable data bundles from local operators like Safaricom and Airtel continue to dominate, especially where these networks offer competitive packages with widespread 4G coverage. This dynamic means Starlink currently complements rather than replaces existing networks.

The Kenyan government has shown active interest in expanding digital infrastructure through fiber rollout and 5G expansion, anchoring plans such as the National Broadband Strategy to reach 100 Mbps connectivity across all counties by the late 2020s. Starlink’s presence adds an alternative route to reach remote areas where fiber extensions are expensive or slow to deploy. Partnerships between Starlink users and local ICT firms have begun to emerge, including rural connectivity hubs powered by satellite links. Continued evolution of regulatory frameworks, reduction in hardware costs, and technological integration with mobile networks could help Starlink expand beyond early institutional adopters into more diverse user segments. In the near term, Kenya’s role as a regional tech hub positions it to benefit from both terrestrial and satellite‑based connectivity growth.

3. Mozambique

Mozambique became the third African country where Starlink’s satellite internet service launched, with services going live in June 2023 after regulatory approval enabled direct ordering of equipment and subscriptions within the country. This placed Mozambique at #3 in the operational order across Africa, following Nigeria and Rwanda. Users could begin purchasing Starlink kits and services through the official Starlink portal, with equipment costing around MZN 40,492 (~USD 600) and monthly subscriptions at about MZN 3,000 (~USD 50) at launch, a price point that, while high by local income standards, was competitive for enterprises and organised groups. 

Mozambique’s internet landscape before Starlink was constrained by limited broadband infrastructure and relatively low speeds. Traditional fixed broadband network coverage remained sparse, and mobile internet service, the main source of connectivity, often offered average download speeds in the low‑tens of Mbps, making high‑capacity use cases like live video conferencing or cloud services unreliable in many areas. Starlink’s entry provided a notably faster connection, with users reporting speeds from 40 Mbps to over 100 Mbps depending on conditions, significantly above many conventional local networks. 

Despite these improvements in capacity, Mozambique’s early Starlink service operated without a local ground station, meaning data traffic was routed via inter‑satellite links to stations in other regions. This configuration sometimes resulted in higher latency, with some users observing lag above 100 milliseconds compared with services closer to ground infrastructure, a trade‑off typical of initial satellite coverage in areas lacking local stations.  However, Starlink began the construction of a ground station in Matola, near Maputo, by early 2025, a development expected to reduce latency to the 20–40 ms range and improve network performance for users across southern Africa once fully operational. 

Local adoption has combined direct residential interest with strong business, institutional, and reseller uptake. Authorised partners like Paratus Mozambique have positioned Starlink services for enterprises and sectors such as financial services, hospitality, mining, and remote offices, often with custom priority plans offering speeds ranging from around 40–220 Mbps and dedicated data allocations. These partnerships include installation support, technical maintenance, and local network integration, which have helped Starlink secure footholds where traditional ISPs struggled to offer consistent service. 

2. Rwanda

Rwanda was the second African country to launch Starlink satellite internet, with services going live in February 2023, shortly after the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) and the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) completed licensing and spectrum approvals. This early launch placed Rwanda at #2 on the operational list, following Nigeria. Initial packages included equipment costing around Rwf 572,000 (~USD 600) and monthly service fees around Rwf 48,000 (~USD 40) for residential plans, making Starlink competitive with some high‑speed offerings but still costly relative to typical mobile data bundles in Rwanda. 

Before Starlink’s entry, Rwanda already had a relatively larger digital footprint compared with many African peers. As of early 2025, about 34.2 % of the population (approximately 4.9 million people) were internet users, supported heavily by widespread 4G coverage reportedly above 95 % nationwide and a growing mobile broadband base. Fixed broadband penetration remained modest, with less than 1 % of the population on fixed subscriptions, underscoring how mobile networks dominated Rwanda’s connectivity landscape. 

Starlink’s technical impact has been measurable. Independent speed assessments show that Starlink consistently delivered median download speeds around 85 Mbps or higher, significantly above many traditional fixed and mobile broadband services available locally. This performance opened new possibilities for institutions and community hubs, especially outside urban centres where fiber backhaul is limited or expensive. Rwanda’s government and partners used Starlink to extend connectivity to 50 schools, serving more than 18,000 students with reliable internet for digital learning, and later expanded the initiative to 40 health centres, improving administrative and clinical communication capacities. 

However, adoption beyond public institutions and tech‑savvy users has been constrained by subscription costs and affordability pressures. Local reports indicate alternative internet packages from terrestrial providers, for example, a Liquid Telecom plan offering up to 60 Mbps download at Rwf 27,999 per month can be cheaper for ordinary households, making Starlink a premium option for many users. Despite its high performance, monthly Starlink plans and upfront hardware costs remain barriers for broader household adoption. 

Looking ahead, Rwanda and Starlink have agreed on a spectrum arrangement and plans to install the country’s first dedicated Starlink gateway by the end of 2025, directly linking the satellite network to the national fiber backbone. This infrastructure upgrade is aimed at improving speeds, reducing latency, and extending reliable connectivity beyond major cities into rural areas. Officials report that around 5,000 users were already subscribing by late 2025, with future efforts focusing on rural, educational, and community use cases supported by innovative financing and partnerships. 

1. Nigeria

Nigeria was the first African country where Starlink went live, with services officially launching in January 2023 after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) completed its licensing process. This early rollout put Nigeria at #1 on the list and made it the continental starting point for Starlink’s African expansion. At launch, Starlink equipment and initial pricing reflected global patterns in hardware retailing around ₦274,000‑₦440,000 (~USD 450–650) and monthly service plans beginning near ₦38,000 (~USD 50) before subsequent price adjustments were made in response to inflation and regulatory dialogues. 

In the years following its launch, Starlink’s adoption in Nigeria grew rapidly relative to other fixed‑internet providers. By the end of Q3 2024, Starlink had about 65,564 active subscribers, a figure that rose from just under 24 000 at the end of 2023, a growth of nearly 175 % in nine months. This expansion enabled Starlink to overtake established local ISPs such as FiberOne Broadband Ltd, placing it as Nigeria’s second‑largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) by subscriber count behind Spectranet’s 105 441 users. Despite this shift, the total ISP market of around 307 946 active users remains a small slice of Nigeria’s overall internet ecosystem, which is dominated by mobile network operators (MNOs) with over 130 million mobile internet subscribers as of late 2024. 

Performance and connectivity experiences have generally been positive where infrastructure capacity allows, with users reporting download speeds well above typical fixed wireless or basic mobile broadband speeds, often in the tens to low hundreds of Mbps depending on location, weather conditions, and kit type. Starlink’s presence has been strongest in urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, where demand for reliable high‑capacity connections has been highest. However, rollout capacity limits at times led to suspensions of new activations in major cities while infrastructure scaled, notably between late 2024 and mid‑2025, before regulatory clearance enabled resumed nationwide sign‑ups. 

Cost and economic factors remain a central consideration for adoption. Due to currency pressures and inflation, monthly subscriptions for basic Starlink service in Nigeria rose from around ₦38 000 to about ₦75 000, and hardware kits increased to roughly ₦590 000 (~USD 800) by late 2024. These price shifts, along with broader economic constraints including high inflation and discretionary spending pressures on households, contributed to some subscriber churn, with data showing a decline of over 6 000 users in early 2025 following tariff adjustments. 

Nigeria’s leadership role in Starlink’s African rollout has had broader market effects. The rapid growth of satellite broadband introduced a new competitor in a telecom market long dominated by fibre and mobile networks, pushing existing ISPs and operators to rethink pricing and service strategies. While Starlink’s subscriber base remains small compared with mobile subscriptions, its success in urban and enterprise segments demonstrates tangible demand for high‑capacity, low‑infrastructure internet alternatives, especially where fixed broadband has been limited. Continued regulatory cooperation, improvements in supply capacity, and efforts to balance affordability with service quality will shape how Starlink contributes to Nigeria’s broader internet access landscape into 2026 and beyond. 

In addition to the first 10 operational Starlink markets covered above, the service expanded further across the continent in 2024 and 2025, with launches in Madagascar (mid‑2024), Botswana (August 2024), Ghana (August 2024), Zimbabwe (late 2024), Burundi (September 2024) and Cape Verde (December 2024), followed by Liberia (January 2025) and Niger (March 2025) as newer operational markets; by late 2025 Starlink was officially available in at least 24 African countries, with additional launches expected in Lesotho, Somalia, Guinea‑Bissau, DR Congo, and Chad through 2025 and others like Angola, Cameroon, Uganda, Mauritius, and Equatorial Guinea projected to launch in 2026 as part of ongoing expansion across the continent.