(Ecofin Agency) - Starlink continues its expansion as part of its parent company SpaceX's vision to bring connectivity across the entire planet. In Africa, the company is already present in about fifteen countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, and Rwanda.
Yesterday, Niger’s Minister of Communication, Sidi Mohamed Raliou, signed an agreement with Ryan Goodnight, head of Market Access at Starlink, granting the American satellite internet provider a license to operate in the country. The government expects Starlink’s entry to help boost mobile and internet access, currently at 60.8% and 32% respectively, as of June 30, according to the national telecom regulator ARCEP.
Minister Raliou is optimistic that Starlink will expand Niger’s network coverage, stating, “With Starlink’s satellites, the entire country will have coverage.” Starlink currently operates around 6,500 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which are anticipated to fill gaps in Niger’s telecom network. ARCEP reports that while telecom networks cover 77% of Niger’s population (about 26.3 million people), only 30% of the country’s territory has geographic coverage.
According to the GSMA’s Mobile Connectivity Index, Niger scored 61.3 out of 100 for network coverage in 2023, with 2G, 3G, and 4G covering 92%, 72.2%, and 58% of the population, respectively. However, only 24% of the population had access to 3G and 16% to 4G as of 2021, according to the ITU’s DataHub. The GSMA’s October 2024 “State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report” also identified Niger among countries where more than 10% of the population lacks mobile internet access.
Improving Service Quality
Niger government also expects Starlink to improve the quality of internet service, with an anticipated average speed of 200 Mbps. This focus on connectivity quality comes as Niger’s telecom operators face mounting pressure to improve service for consumers. In early 2023, after a 2022 warning, ARCEP conducted a quality-of-service audit, revealing widespread non-compliance in voice, SMS, and internet services across all operators. This led to a CFA4.3 billion ($7 million) fine.
Supporting Niger’s Digital Transformation
Enhanced coverage and service from Starlink are seen as key steps in Niger’s digital transformation goals. Minister Raliou remarked that Starlink’s presence will support modernization efforts across government, economic sectors, and businesses. In October 2023, Niger announced a decade-long digital development policy that includes regulatory reforms and infrastructure projects to drive digital transformation and socio-economic development.
Addressing Accessibility Challenges
While increased coverage is promising, access remains a significant hurdle. The GSMA notes that 90% of the 3.4 billion people worldwide without mobile internet live in areas with coverage but face barriers such as high service costs, device prices, and low digital literacy. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 60% of the population does not use mobile internet despite network availability. Starlink has not disclosed its rates for Niger, where it is expected to launch in 2025. In neighboring Benin, Starlink charges CFA30,000 per month, with an upfront equipment fee of CFA400,000.
The African Development Bank has approved a $304 million loan to Botswana to support the southe...
BRVM and Africa50 signed a deal to create new infrastructure financing tools The plan inclu...
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliamentarians met in Lomé from May 6 to 9,...
Nigeria’s audit industry grew 65% in 2024, reaching 28.2 billion naira ($14.4 million). KPMG, EY,...
Africa’s digital economy is growing rapidly, and the demand for data storage, processing power, and ...
• Benin and Qatar discuss plans for a direct air route to boost trade and tourism• Potential partnership with Qatar Airways may lead to new carrier,...
• Nigeria sees a rise in cocoa-related investments as global prices remain high• New projects aim to boost production and build large-scale plantations• A...
• Ghana secures 450,000 barrels of light crude oil from Nigeria to stabilize power supply• Additional stocks of heavy fuel and diesel procured to sustain...
Africa should engage the U.S. through “flexible and constructive” trade negotiations, Adesina says in exclusive interview with CNN’s Amanpour As the...
Marojejy National Park, located in northeastern Madagascar, is one of the island’s most pristine and spectacular natural treasures. Nestled in the Sava...
Located about 3 km (1.8 miles) off the coast of Dakar, Senegal’s capital, Gorée Island is one of the most emblematic historical sites in West Africa....