Faith Nyasuguta
SpaceX’s Starlink, the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, has now officially launched in Botswana, making it the latest African country to join Starlink’s expanding network.
After months of regulatory back-and-forth, Botswana’s government has granted the satellite service an operating license, joining Zimbabwe and other southern African nations already benefiting from Elon Musk’s ambitious project.
Starlink initially applied for a license in Botswana back in May 2023, but the application was denied in February 2024 due to incomplete documentation. This rejection was accompanied by a ban on the use and sale of Starlink’s services in the country.
However, a key turning point came when a SpaceX delegation met with President Mokgweetsi Masisi during the Africa-US Business Forum in Dallas, Texas, in May. Following this meeting, the government lifted the ban, paving the way for Starlink’s official entry.
President Masisi emphasized the urgent need to bridge Botswana’s connectivity gap, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional internet services remain sparse or nonexistent. With internet penetration at 87%, Botswana has seen some growth in digital access, but it continues to grapple with some of the highest data prices on the continent. The arrival of Starlink is expected to revolutionize internet access for the country’s 2.6 million people, promising affordable and widespread connectivity.
Starlink’s service rollout will focus on providing connectivity to underserved areas, especially targeting farmers and remote communities. This is crucial in a country where traditional broadband infrastructure is often too costly to deploy due to vast distances and sparse populations.
Botswana is now the sixth southern African nation to host Starlink, following Zambia, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, and most recently, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe faced its own set of challenges in embracing Starlink, with the government initially banning the service before reversing its decision amid growing demand and pressure for affordable internet. In both cases, the lifting of bans showcases a regional recognition of Starlink’s potential to bridge the digital divide.
With a network of around 5,500 satellites, Starlink has become a major player in global broadband, serving over 2.6 million customers worldwide. The service’s expansion across Africa is part of a broader effort to reach underserved regions, helping to connect millions of people to the digital economy.
Starlink’s arrival in Botswana signifies more than just improved internet access; it represents a broader shift in how Africa can harness new technologies to overcome longstanding infrastructure challenges. As Botswana opens its skies to thousands of satellites, it positions itself at the forefront of a digital transformation that could reshape the continent’s economy.
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