Ivory Coast: Orange strengthens its internet offer with satellite
January 22nd 2026
Orange is the market leader in Ivory Coast, which it shares with operators Moov Africa and MTN, as well as other internet service providers. As of the end of September 2025, Orange had 15.3 million subscribers (fixed and mobile) out of a national subscriber base of 37.9 million.
Telecom company Orange Côte d’Ivoire announced earlier this week the launch of a satellite internet service called “Orange Sat.” The operator aims to provide reliable and high-performance connectivity across the entire country, including rural areas not covered by 4G and fiber optic networks, as well as hard-to-reach locations. With this initiative, the company expands its portfolio of connectivity solutions and strengthens its presence in the Ivorian internet market.
“The result of a strategic partnership with Eutelsat, Orange Sat complements our portfolio of fiber, mobile broadband and now satellite connectivity to meet the geographical and economic realities of Ivory Coast ,” the telecoms operator said in a statement published on LinkedIn.
Thanks to satellite technology, Orange is extending its coverage to previously underserved areas. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 2G, 3G, and 4G networks covered 98.9%, 98.3%, and 93.7% of the Ivorian population, respectively. Despite these high rates, authorities have identified several hundred “white zones,” meaning areas without network coverage. Satellite services allow Orange to target new subscribers in these areas, as well as existing users seeking better service quality for demanding uses such as teleworking, gaming, e-learning, and telemedicine.
As of the end of September 2025, Côte d’Ivoire had 37.9 million internet subscribers, for a population estimated at around 32 million according to the World Bank. However, the actual number of internet users is likely lower, as regulators often count each SIM card used to access the internet as a subscription, even though a single user may hold multiple SIM cards. For comparison, the ITU estimated the internet penetration rate in the country at 40.7% in 2023.
Orange currently holds a leading position in the Ivorian internet market. According to the Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority of Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI), the operator had 522,486 fixed internet subscriptions in the third quarter of 2025, out of a national total of 682,038 subscriptions. In the mobile segment, Orange had 14.8 million subscribers, representing a 40% market share, ahead of MTN (35%) and Moov Africa (25%).
Competition on the horizon?
The launch of Orange Sat comes amid the growing popularity of satellite internet in Africa. Starlink, the SpaceX subsidiary already present in approximately 25 African countries, plans to launch its services in Ivory Coast starting in 2026, although the precise timeline remains to be confirmed. Orange Sat’s business model, based on providing a satellite kit with a monthly subscription, is similar in several respects.
Furthermore, another major player in the consumer satellite internet market is already eyeing the continent, even though it has not yet begun commercial operations. This is Amazon Leo, which recently obtained licenses in Nigeria. The company also plans to launch its commercial services in South Africa in 2026.
It remains to be seen whether Orange will be able to leverage its local presence and subscriber base to establish itself in this emerging segment, facing global players with considerable technological and financial resources. Service quality and pricing are expected to be key factors in consumer decision-making.
Back