Elon Musk-owned satellite internet Starlink, has continued to deepen its foothold across Africa, following its recent approval of license in Chad.
Chad joins a growing list of African nations that have approved the company’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet, to revolutionize internet access in the country.
Elon Musk shared the announcement on the platform X, celebrating another feat towards enhancing digital connectivity across Africa.
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Commenting on this, Chad’s Minister of Communications, Boukar Michel, expressed optimism regarding Starlink’s potential to address ongoing challenges in internet reliability and affordability, issues prevalent in the nation since early 2024. Minister Michel also revealed that discussions with Starlink had been underway since 2021, aligning with Chad’s broader digital transformation goals.
It is worth noting that Internet connectivity in Chad is among the lowest and most challenging in the world, with only a fraction of the population having consistent access to internt. Chad’s internet penetration rate stood at 22.5 percent of the total population at the start of 2024. For perspective, these user figures reveal that 14.38 million people in Chad did not use the internet at the start of 2024, suggesting that 77.5 percent of the population remained offline at the beginning of the year.
However, there have been efforts to improve connectivity, such as partnerships with international organizations and neighboring countries. Projects focused on expanding fiber-optic infrastructure could enhance access and reduce costs over time, but progress remains gradual. The recent approval of license for Starlink in the Central African country is timely, and will no doubt play a pivotal role in addressing gaps in connectivity, digitalize public services in remote areas, and most importantly support tech startups.
Notably, Starlink’s expansion to Chad could significantly transform the country’s connectivity landscape by addressing its longstanding internet challenges.
Here are several ways Starlink could benefit Chad:
Broadening Access to Remote Areas
Chad has vast rural regions with limited infrastructure for traditional internet. Starlink’s satellite-based network can reach remote and underserved areas, providing internet access in locations where terrestrial networks struggle to reach.
Improving Internet Speed and Quality
Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites offer faster speeds and lower latency compared to traditional satellite internet. This could bring noticeable improvements in internet quality for Chadian users, especially in areas where connectivity is currently slow or unreliable.
Supporting Economic Development
Reliable internet can stimulate economic growth by enabling e-commerce, remote work, and digital financial services. Small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs in Chad could benefit from greater connectivity, opening up new markets and business opportunities within and beyond the country.
Improving Digital Inclusion
Access to reliable internet can help narrow the digital divide in Chad, giving more citizens access to digital resources, social media, and information that can enhance civic engagement and personal development.
With Starlink approval in Chad, the satellite internet now operates in 16 African nations, including Burundi, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Botswana, Madagascar, and Sierra Leone, each receiving regulatory green lights within the last six months.
This growth highlights Starlink’s swift expansion across Africa, where it aims to bridge connectivity gaps in underserved areas.