• LEO satellites and D2D tech offer low-cost internet access in underserved African regions.

• Firms like Starlink and Intelsat expand services via local partnerships.

• Market is growing fast, but needs regulatory and cost reforms for scale.

In 2024, only 38% of Africa’s population had internet access, significantly lower than the global average of 68%, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). To bridge this gap, the continent is increasingly looking to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Unlike geostationary (GEO) satellites, which are over 35,000 kilometers away, or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, LEOs orbit much closer to Earth, between 500 and 2,000 kilometers. This proximity provides reduced latency and more stable connections. Beyond mere data transmission, LEO satellites are now setting a new standard in connectivity.

A Disruptive Technology: Direct-to-Device (D2D)

One of the key breakthroughs of LEO satellites lies in their ability to provide direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. This technology allows smartphones, sensors, or other terminals to communicate directly with satellites, bypassing terrestrial infrastructure such as telecom towers or base stations.

This model redefines the sector’s economies of scale. Satellite operators no longer need to invest heavily in expensive reception kits or high-maintenance ground stations. For telecom operators, it is an opportunity to become resellers of satellite connectivity, accessing satellite capacity without investing in relay towers. Consumers, meanwhile, can connect from anywhere, even in rural areas where telecom infrastructure investment remains low. According to the World Bank, less than 20% of rural populations in Africa have internet access.

This evolution helps partially solve the problem of broadband network coverage, paving the way for new uses such as distance learning, e-health, and digital financial services. In the long term, improved internet access could have a significant economic impact. A 10% increase in mobile internet penetration could potentially boost GDP by 2.5%, according to the World Bank.

Global Players Already Active in Africa

Several space industry giants, often in collaboration with African partners, are deploying services across the continent. Starlink has entered over twenty African countries, improving connectivity access through reception kits or partnerships with mobile operators. Recently, Airtel Africa partnered with Starlink to roll out satellite internet services in nine African countries: Nigeria, Chad, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Mali, Intelsat signed an agreement with Orange in 2022, enabling over 360,000 people in rural areas to access the internet. The project led to the deployment of more than 60 sites in about 30 remote communities, with satellite capacity increasing to over 5 Gbps from just 200 Mbps previously.

Eutelsat, via its subsidiary OneWeb, partnered with Liquid Intelligent Technologies to connect businesses and institutions in isolated areas. Telesat has also signed a strategic agreement with Liquid to introduce its Lightspeed service. Other players, such as SES and Lynk Global, offer hybrid GEO/MEO/LEO solutions tailored to the African market.

A Fast-Growing Market

According to Mordor Intelligence, the global LEO satellite internet services market was worth approximately $176.98 billion in 2024 and could reach $284.39 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 9.95%. This momentum is driven by growing demand for connectivity in underserved areas, as well as strategic uses such as precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and emergency communications.

With the ongoing deployment of LEO satellites and the gradual adoption of D2D technology, Africa has a real opportunity to advance its digital transformation. However, turning this potential into reality will require adapting national regulations, promoting targeted subsidy models to reduce access costs, and ensuring smooth integration between space and terrestrial networks.

This article was written in French by Samira Njoya,

Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin