Starlink launches in Congo after a year-long ban is lifted
This marks a big win for connectivity in a country where only 30 per cent of people have internet access.
Starlink’s presence in Africa can’t go unnoticed. The Elon Musk-owned internet provider has been on a mission to blanket the continent with satellite internet, now operating in nearly half of Africa’s 54 countries.
Sure, it's faced hurdles along the way, some tougher than others (Sawubona, South Africa), but its expansion hasn’t slowed.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the latest country to come on board. Last Friday, Congo’s government announced it had granted Starlink a license, and by Sunday, Musk confirmed the service was officially live.
Louis Eriakha
This marks a big shift from just over a year ago when the government outright banned Starlink, fearing it could fall into the hands of rebel groups like the Rwandan-backed M23, which has been wreaking havoc and seizing significant territory in the country’s conflict-ridden east. Back then, military officials warned that the service posed serious national security risks, and violators faced penalties.
But despite those concerns, the demand for reliable internet has only grown. For a country where only about 30% of the population had internet access as of 2023, per the International Telecommunication Union, the need for broader coverage is clear. Until now, Congo’s connectivity landscape was dominated by providers like Airtel Congo and Orange RDC, which offer mobile data services that often struggle outside major cities.
These companies do their best, but Congo’s sheer size (2.34 million km², the second largest in Africa) and challenging geography mean rural areas remain largely offline. That’s where Starlink’s satellite system offers a distinct advantage, bringing the internet to places traditional networks simply can’t reach.
Another advantage Starlink has is that, other than traditional networks, competition in Africa is still fairly limited. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, its biggest global rival, recently launched its first satellites aimed at the African market, starting in South Africa. But with Kuiper still in its early stages compared to Starlink’s established footprint, it may take a while before it becomes serious competition.
With approvals recently granted in Somalia, Lesotho, and now Congo, Starlink shows no signs of slowing down. The company is already in talks with Uganda and likely has its sights on other underserved nations. For Congo, where conflict and geography have long stood in the way of digital growth, this new chapter could mean a step closer to real connectivity, if the political and security hurdles stay in check.
Kelechi Edeh
