Airtel Africa has struck a landmark deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services to more corners of the continent. This partnership is expected to transform digital access in rural and underserved areas.
So far, SpaceX has secured operating licenses in nine out of the fourteen African countries where Airtel operates. Licensing talks are underway for the remaining five. Once complete, the agreement will see Starlink’s satellite technology integrated directly into Airtel’s infrastructure, delivering internet to remote schools, clinics, and small businesses.
Beyond just internet access, both companies say they plan to use satellite backhaul to strengthen Airtel’s mobile network coverage. That could mean stronger signals and better service in places that have long been left behind in Africa’s digital push.
“This is a major step forward,” said Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar. “We’re making sure that even the most remote parts of Africa have affordable and reliable access to voice and data services.”
On the SpaceX side, the deal offers something equally valuable: Airtel’s widespread ground infrastructure. This will help scale Starlink’s presence across the continent and support Africa’s growing demand for digital solutions.
Chad Gibbs, Starlink’s VP of Business Operations, praised the partnership, calling it “a logical and exciting next step” in expanding their coverage. “Airtel has played a critical role in building telecom access across Africa. Working with them makes perfect sense for us,” he said.
For a while, services like Starlink were seen as competition. Now, they’re emerging as partners—especially in countries like Nigeria, where Starlink is gaining ground quickly.
MTN Group, for example, has already begun enterprise-grade trials with Starlink in Nigeria and Rwanda. It’s also exploring partnerships with Lynk Global, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb in countries like South Africa, Ghana, and South Sudan.
If successful, millions more people could soon come online—many for the first time.
