Chad approves Starlink’s satellite internet service to boost connectivity
Chad has officially approved the licensing of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, in a move aimed at improving internet access across the Central African nation. The announcement was made by Chad’s Communications Minister, Boukar Michel, on Tuesday. According to Michel, the government has been in discussions with Starlink since 2021 and has now reached an agreement on key terms.
Starlink, the satellite division of SpaceX, already operates in several African countries, but its expansion has been met with regulatory hurdles and resistance from state-run telecom monopolies in some regions.
Chad, with a population of over 16 million, has one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the world. The latest World Bank data shows that only 12% of the population had internet access in 2022. Minister Michel expressed hope that Starlink’s satellite internet service would help bridge the digital divide, especially in remote areas where fiber optic cables are scarce. He emphasized that better internet connectivity would not only improve public services but also support the growth of tech startups in the country.
“A large part of our territory is not covered by fibre optics, and I believe that Starlink will help us bridge this gap,” Michel told Reuters. He added that the introduction of Starlink would play a crucial role in the country’s digital transformation.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, celebrated the news on social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday: “Starlink now available in Chad!” The satellite provider is already operational in other African nations, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Malawi, and South Sudan, among others.
However, Starlink’s expansion in Africa has not been without challenges. Earlier this year, the government of Cameroon ordered the seizure of Starlink equipment that had been imported without proper licensing. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the country’s largest telecom provider, Safaricom, has urged regulators to require satellite internet services like Starlink to partner with local mobile network operators to better integrate these services into national infrastructure.
Despite these regulatory hurdles, the approval in Chad marks a significant milestone for Starlink’s growing presence on the African continent. As more African nations look to improve internet access in underserved areas, Starlink’s satellite technology offers a potential solution for bridging the connectivity gap.
