Airtel Africa has announced that it has inked a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite-based internet services in the 14 markets it operates in on the continent.
Under the new partnership, Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet will be integrated into Airtel Africa’s offerings.Starlink has already secured regulatory licenses in 9 of the countries where Airtel Africa operates, with applications pending in the remaining five countries. The deal reflects the increasing role of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks in extending connectivity to regions where traditional infrastructure has proven either too costly or logistically unfeasible.
“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 parts of Africa,” said Sunil Taldar, Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Africa.
Starlink launched in Kenya in July 2023 and has garnered close to 20,000 subscribers — 1.1% share of the fixed data market — owing to its kit price reductions and rental packages.
Last year, Kenya’s largest telco — Safaricom — requested the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to cuff Starlink’s independent operations citing that the satellite internet service endangered sectoral security.
Although the government dismissed the concerns and hailed Starlink as a competitive entrant, the satellite service had considered a partnership with Safaricom. It is unlikely that the negotiations were fruitful as the satellite internet provider will now partner with Safaricom’s telco competitor, Airtel Kenya, in scaling up its uptake countrywide.
“We are very excited to work with Airtel to bring the transformative benefits of Starlink to the African people in new and innovative ways. Working with a telecom leader like Airtel allows us to complement our direct offering and expand our impact on the continent,” said Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX.
Airtel Africa, which serves more than 156 million customers across sub-Saharan Africa, has positioned digital inclusion as a core element of its growth strategy. In Kenya, the network still lags behind Safaricom but has recently doubled down on key partnerships to ramp up its competitive edge.
With the growing demand for reliable connectivity in facilitating remote education, digital finance, and telemedicine — the telco is betting that satellite internet will play a crucial role in scaling digital access.
Starlink, meanwhile, continues to deepen its international footprint, particularly in emerging markets where conventional broadband infrastructure remains out of reach. The partnership could also be crucial in navigating regulatory constraints it has encountered in many African countries.