Elon Musk announced on Friday via Twitter that Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has received approval to operate in Nigeria and Mozambique. This development marks the first official rollout of Starlink services in Africa.
This announcement follows Musk’s earlier confirmation that African countries would soon be part of Starlink’s global network. “Starlink will serve everywhere on Earth that we’re legally allowed to serve,” he tweeted earlier in the week.
Starlink, which operates in over 30 countries where it has secured regulatory licenses, aims to bring high-speed satellite internet to underserved and remote regions. The service’s introduction to Africa has been anticipated since 2021. In May of that year, SpaceX representatives met with Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to explore obtaining a license to operate in the country.
According to reports, the NCC has now granted Starlink Internet Services Nigeria Ltd. a license under the Internet Service Provider (ISP) category. The license, which is valid for ten years starting from May 2022, positions Starlink to provide internet services alongside established players such as MTN and Airtel.
Starlink’s entry introduces much-needed competition in the Nigerian market, where internet service quality has been a consistent concern. However, the service’s high cost may pose challenges for widespread adoption. Pricing for the standard package includes a $599 (₦60,500) monthly subscription. For its premium offering, the initial setup costs $2,500 (₦275,000).These costs may be prohibitive for the average user in Nigeria and Mozambique.
Still, Starlink’s focus on areas with limited connectivity options could help bridge the digital divide in regions where traditional telecom services are inaccessible or unreliable.
