By OpeOluwa Okudero 
Airtel Africa has signed a partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet across nine countries on the continent, aiming to bridge Africa’s deep digital divide.
Announced on Monday, the agreement targets hard-to-reach and underserved areas in Nigeria, Chad, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—countries where internet penetration still lags significantly behind global averages.
As of 2024, nearly 600 million Africans—roughly half the continent—remain offline, often due to the high cost or physical inaccessibility of traditional telecom infrastructure. Starlink, with its network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, offers a compelling alternative for regions that mobile towers and fibre networks struggle to reach.
Licensed to operate in 9 of the 14 countries where Airtel Africa has a footprint, Starlink currently serves just 237,000 subscribers in Africa. But this partnership could significantly extend its reach through Airtel’s existing infrastructure and customer base of over 163 million people.
A Connectivity Boost for Rural Africa
For many rural households, schools, and clinics, the promise of reliable, fast internet has long remained out of reach. With this partnership, customers can expect improved voice and data services, even in the continent’s most remote corners.
“This next-generation satellite connectivity will ensure that every individual, business, and community has reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity—even in the most underserved parts of Africa,” said Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa.
The collaboration will also allow Airtel to expand its mobile network into areas without ground-based infrastructure. From e-learning and telehealth to digital banking and agritech, improved connectivity could unlock new avenues for development and economic inclusion.
Competitive Ripple Effect
The deal is likely to intensify competition in Africa’s telecom sector, putting pressure on operators like MTN and Orange to accelerate their digital expansion plans. By merging Starlink’s satellite reach with Airtel’s market dominance, the partnership offers a hybrid model for last-mile connectivity that rivals will find hard to ignore.
“Working with Airtel to complement our direct offering across Africa makes great sense for our business,” said Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX.
Beyond basic connectivity, the partnership hints at broader collaboration between the two companies—potentially spanning enterprise internet, digital inclusion strategies, and innovative infrastructure-sharing models.
As Africa’s digital future unfolds, such collaborations may redefine how internet access is delivered across the continent—blending satellite, mobile, and broadband to reach the last mile.
Susan Olalere
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