Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by a SpaceX unit, has received regulatory approval to begin operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after authorities reversed an earlier ban.
The Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority recently granted Starlink a license, announcing that service roll-out is expected in the coming days. The decision follows a March 2024 directive that had prohibited Starlink use amid concerns raised by military advisors about potential misuse of the system by armed groups, notably the M23 insurgency, which has expanded its presence in eastern Congo over the past year.
The DRC faces some of the lowest internet penetration rates in Africa, with only about 30% of the population online as of 2023, according to International Telecommunication Union data. Limited terrestrial infrastructure and ongoing conflict have constrained expansion of fiber and mobile broadband, particularly in remote and rural areas. Satellite-based connectivity such as Starlink could help narrow this gap by offering an alternative where traditional networks are unavailable or unreliable.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed Starlink’s availability in Congo in a post on X. The DRC now joins a growing list of African countries adopting the service. In April, Somalia and Lesotho also granted Starlink operating licenses, raising the number of African countries with active or planned Starlink service to about 20.
Neighboring Uganda is in talks with the company as well. President Yoweri Museveni met with Starlink representatives and expressed appreciation for their interest in extending internet access to underserved regions. Many Ugandan users have long complained about the cost and inconsistency of existing services, which critics often attribute to limited competition in the market.
Regulatory responses to Starlink’s expansion have differed across the continent. Nigeria and Rwanda introduced the service without significant public opposition, while South Africa has seen delays due to equity requirements intended to allocate ownership stakes to Black South Africans. Those licensing conditions prompted public criticism from Elon Musk and slowed Starlink’s launch there. These varied approaches illustrate how governments are balancing technology adoption with national policy goals and regulatory frameworks.
Starlink has launched more than 7,000 satellites in low Earth orbit since 2019 and is one of several companies working to expand satellite-based internet worldwide. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is entering the market, with its first launches planned in April 2025 and a target to deploy over 1,600 satellites by mid-2026 to provide broadband, including in emerging markets. Other providers, such as OneWeb (now part of Eutelsat), are also forming partnerships across Africa to deliver connectivity via low Earth orbit constellations.
As multiple providers pursue satellite solutions, these services are becoming an important component of efforts to improve connectivity in Africa. For countries like the DRC, where building out traditional broadband infrastructure is slow and costly, satellite internet offers a viable alternative to expand digital access. At the same time, questions about affordability, regulatory oversight, and security will continue to influence the pace and scope of adoption.
(Photo credit: Unsplash)
See also: Project Kuiper’s market entry is intensifying competition in satellite broadband, challenging incumbent providers like Starlink.
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