Chad has granted a license to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, aiming to enhance internet connectivity across the central African nation. Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has expanded its reach across several African countries but often encounters regulatory challenges and opposition from state-run telecom monopolies.
“We have been in discussions with Starlink since 2021 and have now reached agreements on key terms,” Chad’s Communications Minister Boukar Michel told Reuters. According to the latest data from the World Bank, only 12% of Chad’s population had internet access as of 2022, with large parts of the country still lacking fiber-optic coverage.
Minister Michel expressed optimism about Starlink’s potential, stating, “I believe Starlink will help bridge this gap, enabling us to digitalize public services in remote areas and foster growth in the tech start-up sector.”
Following the announcement, Musk posted “Starlink now available in Chad!” on X (formerly Twitter). Starlink already operates in several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar.
However, Starlink’s expansion across Africa hasn’t been without challenges. Earlier this year, Cameroonian authorities ordered Starlink equipment seized at ports due to a lack of licensing. Meanwhile, Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecom provider, has advocated for satellite internet providers like Starlink to partner with local mobile operators to ensure regulatory compliance and compatibility with existing networks.
