Starlink, the satellite internet service founded by Elon Musk, has made significant progress in expanding its reach across Africa. As of early 2025, the service is operational in 20 countries, with plans to launch in more nations later this year. The first African country to adopt Starlink was Nigeria in January 2023, and since then, the service has rapidly expanded to include Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

This rapid deployment across diverse African nations underscores Starlink's aggressive strategy to tap into the continent's growing demand for high-speed internet. The service offers a unique solution to the region's connectivity challenges, providing fast and reliable internet access to underserved areas.

However, the path to operation is not always straightforward. In Lesotho, for instance, while Starlink has gone live in several neighboring Southern African countries like Eswatini, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, there are no confirmations regarding a launch date. Similarly, South Africa presents a unique case. Despite being the birthplace of Starlink's founder, Elon Musk, and a significant economy on the continent, Starlink faces substantial regulatory hurdles related to local ownership requirements.

South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies mandate that foreign-owned telecommunications licensees allocate at least 30% equity to historically disadvantaged groups. This requirement has been a point of contention, with Starlink yet to meet these conditions for operation in the country.

In terms of pricing, Starlink's costs vary across different countries, reflecting many factors. The hardware cost for Starlink in Benin, for example, is reported to be approximately $650 – $700, while the monthly subscription fee ranges from $47 – $50. In Botswana, the hardware cost is reported to be between $359 and $363, with monthly subscription fees varying depending on the plan.

A complex interplay of several factors influences the variation in Starlink's pricing across African countries. They include regulatory environments, licensing and regulations, import duties and taxes, market competition, economic factors, and operational costs and infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, Starlink's expansion in Africa is a significant development for the continent's digital landscape. The service has the potential to bridge the digital divide, providing high-speed internet access to underserved communities and driving economic growth.

As Starlink continues to expand its reach across Africa, it will be interesting to see how the service adapts to the unique challenges and opportunities of each market. With plans to launch in Namibia later this year, Starlink is poised to further cement its position as a leading player in the African satellite internet market.