SpaceX's Starlink service expands its footprint in Africa, however, faces impediments in South Africa.

Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, has been making waves in Africa, with its user base in Kenya growing tenfold in the first quarter of 2024. The continent, home to 1.3 billion people and boasting only 40% internet penetration, represents a vast market with even greater potential for Starlink's services.

The expansion of Starlink in Africa is marked by a blend of successes and challenges. While some regions are experiencing significant progress, others face regulatory hurdles. For instance, the entry into South Africa has been postponed indefinitely due to regulatory issues and prolonged negotiations. In contrast, Starlink has officially commenced operations in Botswana, offering a significant improvement in download speeds compared to the country's current average of 8 Mbps.

In Botswana, accessing Starlink comes with a considerable upfront expense, with hardware costs ranging from USD 600 to USD 2,500. Despite this, the service promises download speeds ranging from 50-250 Mbps, a welcome boost for a country where traditional internet service providers struggle to deliver reliable connectivity.

Starlink's launch in Botswana marks the third African country to join the Starlink network within a month, following successful introductions in Sudan and the upcoming launch in Ghana. In Nigeria, Starlink has established a strategic partnership with Konga to deliver satellite internet services to underserved areas. Konga serves as the only authorized shop-in-shop for Starlink in Nigeria and is launching a "Starlink Week" campaign, offering discounts and additional perks on Starlink kits from August 26th to August 31st, 2024.

However, the growth of Starlink in Africa is not without controversy. In Kenya, Safaricom, the country's largest telecommunications firm, is advocating for stricter regulations on Starlink due to concerns about its potential impact on the company's market share and revenue. The licensing issues in South Africa are believed to stem from the country's Electronic Communication Act, which mandates 30% black ownership equity for any company wishing to operate. This has led to the disconnection of roaming customers who registered their kits outside of South Africa but have continued to access the service within the country.

Starlink's constellation of Low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites in Botswana is set to provide high-speed internet to even the most remote and underserved regions. As Starlink continues to expand across Africa, it remains to be seen how these regulatory challenges will be addressed and how the service will impact traditional internet service providers.

SpaceX's Starlink service expands its footprint in Africa, however, faces impediments in South Africa.