Nigeria: Government confirms that Starlink will launch operations before the end of the year
December 20th 2022
SpaceX acquired the operating licenses from the Nigerian Communications Commission for its subsidiary Starlink in May 2022. The company had originally planned to start providing operations in the country in August.
Starlink, the satellite internet network of billionaire Elon Musk’s US company SpaceX, will finally launch commercial operations in Nigeria before the end of this year. This was revealed by Isa Pantami, Nigerian Minister of Communications and the Digital Economy, on the sidelines of the United States – Africa summit which was held from December 13 to 15 in Washington.
According to Mr. Pantami, SpaceX will still have to sort out some administrative processes before it can launch its high-speed Internet services in Nigeria.
The launch of Starlink’s activities in Nigeria will take place seven months after Starlink obtained the approval of the Nigerian authorities with the acquisition of two licenses valid for 10 years and 5 years respectively. The company began prospecting in the Nigerian telecommunications market as early as May 2021 as part of its expansion into the African continent where the demand for broadband connectivity continues to accelerate. The company has also obtained operating licenses in Mozambique and Malawi.
Once its activities are launched, Starlink should be able to bring high-speed Internet to all Nigerian populations, including those living in the most remote and landlocked areas. This should help achieve the government’s goal of connecting 75% of the population to broadband by 2025 as part of its digital ambitions. Abuja has also signed a partnership agreement with SpaceX in this direction.
Isa Pantami says the company will “ provide broadband access across Nigeria, enabling nationwide access to broadband connectivity well ahead of the December 2025 timeline as outlined in our National Broadband Plan. ” bandaged. Thanks to this collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink, Nigeria should be the first African country to introduce this service .
Back