Airtel Africa has partnered with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet to its customers across the continent. Announced on Monday, the deal marks a major step forward in bringing internet access to subscribers, especially remote and underserved communities.
The rollout will begin in nine countries: Nigeria, Chad, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, targeting regions where connectivity gaps are most severe. As of 2025, approximately 600 million people in Africa—about 50% of the continent’s population—lack internet access.
Starlink is licenced to operate in 9 of the 14 countries where Airtel Africa is present, with 163.1 million subscriber base. Starlink currently serves 237,000 subscribers across Africa. Once operational across the board, the collaboration will extend the reach of reliable internet services to millions more people—businesses, schools, hospitals, and individual users alike.
For many subscribers in rural and hard-to-reach areas, the dream of stable, fast internet has remained elusive due to the limitations of traditional telecom infrastructure. With Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and Airtel Africa’s established market presence, this partnership offers a promising solution. Customers can look forward to more consistent voice and data connectivity, even in areas where fiber or mobile networks have yet to penetrate.
The partnership will enhance Airtel’s enterprise and business solutions, offering high-speed internet from rural healthcare clinics to educational institutions. As digital services become central to sectors like agriculture, education, finance, and healthcare, access to Starlink’s technology could empower local innovation and economic growth.
The partnership will explore using Starlink’s satellite capabilities for cellular backhauling, enabling Airtel to extend its mobile network coverage to remote areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking.
“Next-generation satellite connectivity will ensure that every individual, business, and community has reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity even in the most remote and currently underserved parts of Africa,” said Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa.
The Airtel-SpaceX deal could be a game-changer in the competitive telecom landscape across Africa. By integrating Starlink’s satellite internet with Airtel’s existing ground infrastructure, the company gains a significant edge in expanding rural coverage and improving overall network quality.
The move also puts pressure on rival operators, such as MTN, Orange, and others, to accelerate their digital inclusion strategies. As more consumers gain access to faster and more reliable internet, expectations for service quality and innovation will inevitably rise.
“The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in Africa’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering across Africa makes great sense for our business,” said Chad Gibbs, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Business Operations.
Beyond providing rural connectivity, the agreement opens doors to further collaboration between SpaceX and Airtel Africa, including leveraging Airtel’s ground infrastructure and exploring new areas of digital inclusion. It signals a shift toward more hybrid models of connectivity, combining satellite, cellular, and broadband services to meet diverse user needs.
