Faith Nyasuguta
Niger has become the latest African country to approve Starlink, SpaceX’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, after its military government granted a five-year license for operation. This move aims to improve connectivity in a nation where digital infrastructure is underdeveloped, and internet penetration is among the lowest on the continent.
Currently, only 32% of Niger’s population has internet access, with digital infrastructure covering just 30% of its territory. Vast rural areas remain disconnected due to limited investment and frequent attacks on communication infrastructure by armed groups, according to Niger’s electronic communications regulator ARCEP. Starlink’s satellite technology promises to bridge these gaps, providing fast and reliable internet across the country, regardless of location.
Niger’s decision to embrace Starlink follows its recent launch in Liberia this past January, as more African nations turn to satellite solutions to overcome infrastructure challenges. The continent has the lowest internet penetration globally, with only 40% of its 1.3 billion people connected. Starlink’s expansion is seen as a crucial step in tackling this digital divide.
However, Starlink’s journey into Africa hasn’t been entirely smooth. In some countries, the service has faced regulatory hurdles. For example, despite neighboring nations adopting the service, South Africa, Africa’s most industrialized economy, has yet to approve Starlink. In August 2023, South Africa banned the import of Starlink kits, effectively blocking its use.
Elon Musk, Starlink’s founder, claimed the service isn’t allowed to operate in South Africa because he is “not Black,” sparking controversy. Talks to introduce the service have stalled, even as demand for alternative internet solutions continues to grow.
Starlink, which has over 2.6 million customers worldwide, operates by providing broadband internet through a network of approximately 5,500 satellites that SpaceX began deploying in 2019. The technology offers high-speed connectivity even in remote areas, making it an attractive solution for countries like Niger, where traditional infrastructure is lacking.
Niger’s approval of Starlink not only improves internet access but could also have broader implications for economic development, education, healthcare, and communication in underserved communities. As Starlink expands across Africa, its impact on closing the continent’s digital divide will be closely watched.
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