Starlink launches in Guinea-Bissau, despite about 30% of the country's population online
It marks its 7th market in West Africa and 22nd on the continent.
Internet access in Guinea-Bissau has historically been limited and unreliable. As of early 2025, fixed broadband averaged around 12 Mbps downloads, while mobile speeds reached 31.9 Mbps, according to SpeedGEO. Only about 30% of the population is online, with most access provided by Orange and Telecel, who rely on fibre links from Senegal and Guinea. Service disruptions remain common, especially outside major towns.
Now, Starlink is entering the market. The SpaceX-owned satellite internet service is officially live in Guinea-Bissau, marking its seventh market in West Africa and 22nd on the continent. After receiving a provisional licence in December 2024, the company secured full approval from ARN-TIC in April 2025. Starlink promises speeds between 50–150 Mbps, potentially offering a major boost to the country’s internet infrastructure.
Louis Eriakha
Pricing, though, remains a hurdle. The Starlink Standard Kit is listed at FCFA 228,000 (about $400), with a monthly subscription at FCFA 36,000 ($63). A 250 GB data plan goes for half that price, and a more affordable Minikit is available for FCFA 117,000 ($205). For context, the average monthly income in Guinea-Bissau is just around $120, so while the tech is promising, affordability will be key to meaningful adoption.
Still, the launch reflects Starlink’s broader ambitions. In 2025 alone, it has rolled out in Liberia, Niger, and now Guinea-Bissau, while securing licences in Somalia and Lesotho. Altogether, it’s operational in over 20 African countries and counting. Starlink's infrastructure model drives this momentum. Unlike traditional telcos that rely on fibre cables and towers, often costly or unreliable in remote areas, Starlink beams internet directly from low Earth orbit satellites to users on the ground. It’s a setup that sidesteps the usual infrastructure barriers and reaches communities that have long been offline.
Of course, regulatory hurdles tied to local ownership requirements in South Africa have prevented Starlink from launching, despite strong consumer demand. And in some countries like Kenya, where it's been granted access, Starlink has not been able to keep up with the demand and remains largely unavailable for many in the country.
But for many other countries, Starlink is steadily bringing remote regions online. Guinea-Bissau now stands as another key milestone in its aggressive push across the continent. The big question is how quickly and affordably it can help close Africa’s digital divide.
Loy Okezie
