Starlink Deepens African Expansion, Launches Service in Niger

Elon Musk-owned satellite internet service company, Starlink has deepened its African expansion with its launch of service in the Republic of Niger.

The West African country becomes the 18th African country that has embraced the use of Starlink to improve internet connectivity.

According to a tweet on X, announcing the launch, Starlink wrote,

“Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in Niger”.

The launch of Starlink in Niger comes after the military administration in the West African country, on October 2024, signed a pact with Starlink for its internet services in the country.

Nigerien communication and digital economy minister Sidi Mohamed Raliou said the agreement will allow Niger to benefit from a high-speed internet connection. The agreement aims to extend high-speed internet access to the entire nation while strengthening the country’s digital security.

“Starlink satellites already cover all of Niger. Schools, economic actors, universities, health, and agriculture will be able to benefit from this technology. Indeed this equipment has sometimes been used by terrorist groups to communicate and coordinate their actions. The partnership with Starlink will allow the Nigerien government to put in place reinforced security measures to prevent any illegal use of this technology”, he said.

The launch of Starlink in Niger will drive significant internet connectivity in the country. According to report, Niger’s internet penetration rate stood at 22.4 percent of the total population at the start of 2023. Analysis indicates that internet users in Niger increased by 219 thousand between 2022 and 2023.

For perspectives these user figures reveal that 20.72 million people in Niger did not use the internet at the start of 2023, suggesting that 77.6 percent of the population remained offline at the beginning of the year.

By 2024, estimates suggest this had risen to around 32%, though still far below the global average. Most internet access occurs via mobile devices, with 14.59 million cellular mobile connections active in early 2023, equivalent to 54.7% of the population. However, fixed broadband remains scarce, with only 3,596 subscriptions reported in 2012, and median fixed internet speeds were measured at 4.47 Mbps in 2023, up from 3.38 Mbps in 2022. Mobile connectivity dominates, but 3G and 4G coverage are limited, estimated at 24.87% and 18.41% respectively in 2024.

The introduction of Starlink in Niger formalized through an agreement with the military government in late 2024, aims to address these gaps. The satellite internet service targets an ambitious average speed of 200 Mbps, a significant leap from current capabilities, and seeks to extend broadband coverage to 80-100% of the country’s territory.

Starlink’s Impact Across Africa

Starlink has rapidly expanded its presence across Africa, offering high-speed connectivity to regions previously underserved by traditional internet infrastructure.

This expansion has significantly impacted the continent’s digital landscape, influencing both consumers and existing telecommunications providers.

Starlink’s network of over 6,000 satellites enables it to deliver fast internet services to remote and rural areas, effectively bridging the digital divide. In Nigeria, as of the third quarter of 2024, Starlink emerged as Nigeria’s second-largest internet service provider, boasting 65,564 subscribers. This significant growth saw it surpass FiberOne Broadband Ltd, highlighting Starlink’s rapid expansion since its entry into the Nigerian market in January 2023.

Notably, the introduction of Starlink has disrupted Africa’s telecommunications market, prompting traditional providers to reassess their strategies. The service’s ability to offer high-speed internet in areas previously neglected by conventional providers has led telecom operators to expand their reach into rural regions. This shift aims to counter Starlink’s growing influence and address the longstanding issue of limited connectivity in these areas.

In several major African cities, the demand for Starlink’s services has been so high that the service has quickly reached capacity, leading to reports of it being “sold out.” This phenomenon underscores the significant appetite for reliable internet services across the continent and highlights the existing gaps in the current telecommunications infrastructure.

Starlink’s expansion across Africa represents a pivotal development in the continent’s quest for comprehensive digital connectivity. By providing high-speed internet to underserved regions, it has not only enhanced individual access but also spurred traditional telecom providers to improve their services.

However, the journey is fraught with challenges, including regulatory compliance and market dynamics, which Starlink must navigate to sustain its growth and impact in Africa.