Somalia has officially granted a license to SpaceX’s Starlink,
enabling the satellite internet service provider to operate across the country.
The announcement, made by Elon Musk via a post
on X and confirmed by Somalia’s National Communications
Authority (NCA), marks a significant step toward enhancing internet access in
one of Africa’s least connected nations, particularly in remote and underserved
regions.
In a ceremony held in the capital, Mogadishu and
attended by government officials and representatives from Starlink, Somalia’s
Minister of Communications and Technology, Mohamed Adan Moalin, welcomed
Starlink’s entry, saying it aligns with the government’s long-term vision.
“We are pleased to welcome Starlink to our country.
This step supports our goal of ensuring all Somalis, wherever they are, have
access to affordable and far-reaching internet services,” the minister
said.
The approval positions Somalia as the latest African
country to embrace Space X low-earth-orbit satellite technology, following
recent authorisations in Niger in March 2025 and Liberia in January 2025.
Africa accounts for the lowest Internet penetration
rate globally, with only about 40% of its 1.3 billion people online. Starlink’s entry
into Somalia is, thus, expected to bridge critical connectivity gaps.
“We hope Starlink will increase the quality of the
existing internet in Somalia and make the internet service reach more remote
areas,” a Somali government official said.
Somalia, a nation of about 17 million people, has long
grappled with limited internet infrastructure. While the country benefits from
several undersea internet cables, including the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable
System (EASSy) and the Djibouti Africa Regional Express (DARE1), terrestrial
networks often fail to reach rural and nomadic communities.
Starlink’s satellite-based service, which beams
high-speed internet from a constellation of over 6,750 satellites, offers a
solution by bypassing the need for extensive ground infrastructure. According
to a 2025 CNET review, Starlink’s typical download speeds range from 50 to 250
Mbps, with Musk himself reporting speeds up to 100 Mbps on the Mini version, a
portable device designed for mobility.
Starlink finally in Somalia after years of
negotiations
The licensing follows years of negotiations. As early
as May 2023, Somali officials met with Starlink representatives to discuss
operational approval. The agreement is seen as a “big win for connectivity in
Africa”, with experts expressing optimism about the service’s potential to
transform communication, education, and economic opportunities in the country.
The Somalia rollout aligns with SpaceX’s broader
mission to expand global internet access. The company, valued as the world’s
most valuable private enterprise, serves over 5 million customers worldwide,
according to a 2025 Guardian report. In Africa, Starlink operates in countries
including Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda, with plans for further expansion.
Meanwhile, Starlink’s high costs, $80 per month for
the Residential Lite plan and $120 for the standard Residential plan, per CNET,
may limit accessibility for many Somalis, where the average annual income is
below $500, according to World Bank data.
Globally, Starlink has faced regulatory hurdles. In
South Africa, for instance, the service remains unavailable due to disputes
over Black ownership requirements, which Musk has called discriminatory.
Somalia’s relatively swift approval suggests a more pragmatic approach,
possibly driven by the urgent need for connectivity in a country recovering
from decades of conflict and instability.
For many Somalis, the promise of reliable internet
could unlock new possibilities. In urban centres like Mogadishu and Hargeisa,
businesses may benefit from faster communication and access to global markets.
In rural areas, where mobile penetration is low, Starlink could support
telemedicine, online education, and digital banking, sectors that have lagged
due to connectivity barriers.
“This is a game-changer for places where even a phone
signal is a luxury,” said Abdi Farah, a tech entrepreneur in Garowe, in an
interview with Business Insider Africa.
As Starlink prepares to roll out services, questions
remain about implementation timelines and affordability. SpaceX has not
disclosed specific launch dates for Somalia or details on potential subsidies
for low-income users. Still, the government’s endorsement signals a commitment
to modernisation and a new era of digital inclusion even as the country it
navigates security and economic challenges
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