(Ecofin Agency) - Starlink is expanding its presence in Africa with plans to address the digital divide. In Liberia, approximately 70% of the population lacked internet access at the start of 2024, according to DataReportal.

The satellite internet provider, a subsidiary of the American company SpaceX, is focusing on Liberia for its operations. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, presented the initiative to Liberian President Joseph Boakai (photo, left) during a virtual meeting on Sunday, July 21. The President extended an invitation for Musk and his team to visit Liberia.

Starlink primarily offers high-speed internet services using its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The company plans to launch its services in Liberia by the end of 2024, pending regulatory approval. Pricing details for Liberia are not yet available. In Madagascar, where Starlink recently launched, the service costs 226,000 ariary (about $50) per month, with a one-time equipment fee of 1.58 million ariary for the standard kit. An alternative option with smaller equipment costs 136,000 ariary per month, plus 900,000 ariary for the equipment.

Starlink's entry into the market is expected to introduce more competition in the internet connectivity sector, which is currently dominated by telecom operators. This increased competition is likely to drive improvements in service quality and reductions in costs.

The satellite service from Starlink aims to expand connectivity to the entire Liberian population, including communities in remote and hard-to-reach rural areas that are often economically unfeasible for traditional telecom operators. The country currently has 1.6 million internet subscribers, with a penetration rate of 30.1%, according to DataReportal.