Airtel Africa teams up with SpaceX to expand Starlink internet in underserved regions

Airtel Africa has signed a partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s satellite internet across nine African countries, targeting regions where traditional mobile or fibre networks have struggled to deliver reliable service. The agreement, announced on May 5, aims to improve internet access in remote and underserved communities through a combination of Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology and Airtel’s ground infrastructure.

The rollout will cover Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Zambia, Rwanda, Niger, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, all markets where Airtel is already active. Starlink is currently licensed to operate in 9 of the 14 African countries where Airtel has a footprint, serving 237,000 users on the continent. Airtel Africa, by comparison, has a subscriber base of 163.1 million, making the partnership a key lever for scale.

According to the World Bank, around 600 million people in Africa, or roughly 50% of the population, remain offline. Infrastructure constraints have made it difficult for telecom operators to connect rural regions, where running fibre or expanding mobile towers is often cost-prohibitive. This partnership is positioned as a solution to those coverage challenges.

Starlink’s LEO satellite constellation can provide high-speed internet without requiring major investments in last-mile infrastructure. Airtel plans to use this capability to improve not only residential and business internet access but also to support cellular backhaul, enabling mobile connectivity in areas where its network currently does not reach.

Read also: Top telcos shape to rival Starlink in Africa’s costly internet capital

“Next-generation satellite connectivity will ensure that every individual, business, and community has reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity even in the most remote and currently underserved parts of Africa,” said Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa.

The partnership also bolsters Airtel’s enterprise offerings, allowing the telco to provide broadband to customers in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and financial services. Access to high-speed internet could unlock productivity gains and digital inclusion for institutions that have long been left offline.

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Chad Gibbs, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, said the collaboration aligns with the company’s vision of scaling access in emerging markets. “The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in Africa’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering across Africa makes great sense for our business,” he said.

As connectivity improves, the agreement could heighten competitive pressure on rival operators such as MTN and Orange, both of which have also been expanding their rural connectivity initiatives. The deal signals a broader shift toward hybrid connectivity models that combine satellite, mobile, and fixed broadband infrastructure to reach users more efficiently.

For Airtel Africa, the SpaceX deal could mark a turning point—not just in expanding reach, but in positioning itself as a tech-forward telecom provider in a fast-evolving digital economy.