Starlink, the satellite internet service launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is rapidly changing the internet scene in Africa, especially in areas where traditional network providers have long struggled. With fast and more widely available internet access, Starlink is already making a big impression in underserved regions across Sub-Saharan Africa. Although it isn’t perfect, especially when it comes to high latency (the delay before a transfer of data begins), its performance is still impressive enough to shake up the dominance of local internet service providers (ISPs).
According to recent data from Ookla’s Q1 2025 report, Starlink is delivering some of the fastest internet speeds on the continent. Botswana led the pack with download speeds of 106 Mbps, followed by Eswatini (86 Mbps) and Rwanda (85 Mbps). These figures are more than twice the speed of most terrestrial ISPs in the same countries. In places like Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Rwanda, upload speeds also stood out, reaching up to 14.85 Mbps. Latency, which is crucial for real-time applications like video calls and gaming, remains a concern. Ghana, for instance, had a latency of 130 milliseconds compared to just 13 milliseconds on fiber networks.
Despite that, Starlink has made significant progress in many countries. Kenya, for example, saw upload speeds double and latency drop by 81% after installing a new Point of Presence (PoP) in Nairobi. In Nigeria, where over 65,000 people have already signed up for the service, Starlink is now the second-largest ISP. Zimbabwe has also seen major gains, with Starlink offering deep discounts, charging as low as $30 a month for unlimited data, undercutting expensive local fiber packages. But not all governments are welcoming: Cameroon banned Starlink in April 2024 for operating without a license, and regulatory issues are still stalling operations in countries like South Africa, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The growing presence of Starlink poses both a challenge and an opportunity for Africa’s traditional network providers. On one hand, providers may face declining market share if they fail to match Starlink’s speed and coverage, especially in rural and remote areas. On the other hand, the arrival of Starlink could push existing ISPs to improve their services or partner with satellite networks. This trend is already emerging, with Airtel Africa recently announcing a deal in May 2025 to integrate Starlink’s satellite connectivity in nine countries. Such partnerships could form a hybrid model, combining satellite backhaul with local mobile and Wi-Fi infrastructure to enhance reach and reliability.
Looking ahead, the success of Starlink in Africa will depend on how affordable and accessible it becomes. While equipment costs (ranging from $200 to $700) and monthly fees are still high for the average user, ongoing partnerships and potential government support could help drive down costs. If regulation supports rather than blocks this innovation, and if Starlink continues to improve its technology and infrastructure, it could become a long-term game changer. Traditional ISPs will need to adapt or risk being left behind in an internet landscape that’s rapidly evolving.
