Starlink, a SpaceX initiative, has managed to secure permission to operate in just 10 African countries so far. Elon Musk will need to negotiate separately with each nation to expand his reach. An infographic illustrates the current situation.
While Musk has been occupied with supporting Donald Trump recently, he hasn’t lost focus on the Starlink project, which he launched in 2015. The satellite internet service now spans over 100 countries, yet only 10 are in Africa. Both Africa and Asia are continents where Starlink has not yet achieved complete coverage. This delay is notable given that sub-Saharan Africa is a crucial and rapidly growing market, with 287 million mobile internet users and a value of $170 billion by 2022. Why is Starlink encountering these challenges?
Starlink: Widespread Yet Facing Local Obstacles
Starlink’s reception in Africa has been mixed due to challenges with its operational control. The service’s ability to rapidly enter markets without the need for extensive physical infrastructure contrasts with traditional providers, which require significant investments. Antony Virgil Adopo, a digital specialist, notes that Africa’s limited infrastructure adds to the difficulty.
Despite these challenges, Starlink benefits from SpaceX’s backing. The aerospace company has already launched over 6,000 satellites into low Earth orbit, with plans to expand to 12,000 satellites worldwide.

Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, positioned at an altitude of 550 km, offer reduced data transmission times. However, it faces competition from other players, including OneWeb, which operates over 600 LEO satellites and is now part of Eutelsat, as well as upcoming entrants like China’s Qianfan and Amazon’s Kuiper constellation.
A Game Changer in Expensive Internet Markets
Starlink’s investment is making a notable difference in Rwanda and Nigeria, according to 2023 data from internet analyst Ookla. The service provides faster data download speeds than traditional broadband, with speeds of 63 Mbps in both Nigeria and Rwanda, compared to 15 Mbps and 34 Mbps from other providers, respectively.
“Starlink is revolutionizing internet access in countries where connectivity is costly. It offers competitive rates even in remote areas without fiber or 4G,” explains Adopo.
Yet, the Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI) points out that while such technologies can help bridge the digital divide, they also come with risks, particularly in regions lacking comprehensive technical and regulatory oversight. ARTCI recently completed a public consultation on the potential use of low Earth orbit satellites in Côte d’Ivoire.

Altering Market Competition
Starlink’s business model disrupts the traditional telecom landscape. Unlike traditional mobile operators, who invest heavily in ground infrastructure and face high licensing fees—such as the CFA100bn ($168m) for a 15-year license in Côte d’Ivoire—Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites avoid these costs.
Is Starlink creating a competitive imbalance? ARTCI believes so, as satellite services might substitute for traditional telecoms, given their competitive pricing and performance ($44 per subscription, excluding equipment). This could lead to reduced revenue in the data market, decreased investment, and potentially push out traditional infrastructure providers.
In response, “regulators and governments are taking measures,” says Adopo. These actions include imposing bans and initiating public consultations and working groups to address these issues.
While Starlink has managed to overcome the technical challenges of operating in space, securing access to African markets remains a hurdle. The company must negotiate with individual countries and ensure its services comply with local regulations, potentially requiring partnerships with local entities.