In Gabon, the satellite being considered to generalize internet access
October 30th 2026
Satellite internet service providers are gradually expanding their presence in Africa, where the digital divide persists. Already present in some thirty markets, Starlink plans to launch in Gabon by the end of the year.
Gabonese authorities want to rely on satellite technology to bridge the digital divide within the country. Starlink and Eutelsat providers are expected to be authorized in the coming months, according to the Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, Innovation and New Technologies, Mark-Alexandre Doumba (pictured).
He made this statement in an interview with the Gabonese Press Agency ( AGP ) ahead of “Gabon Digital Week,” which is being held from Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30 in Libreville. In it, he discussed the challenges and prospects of national digital development.
Reducing the digital divide
This initiative comes at a time when mobile networks are relatively well-developed in Gabon. The country scored 87.1 out of 100 for network coverage, according to the GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index 2025. The same source indicates that 2G covers 99% of the population, estimated at approximately 2.6 million inhabitants. Furthermore, 96.5% of Gabonese people are covered by 3G and 4G networks.
“ Today, more than 200 villages are still not connected to the Internet. Some have only 20 or 30 inhabitants. Installing a pylon for so few people is not always profitable, but we have an obligation to give them access to digital technology ,” Mr. Doumba said in his interview with AGP.
In this context, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) believes that aerial connectivity solutions, including satellite, will play a significant role in achieving universal connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa. ” The region is home to some of the most challenging terrain for terrestrial networks, including rainforests, deserts, and mountain ranges. Even in rural and sparsely populated areas, the cost and complexity of deploying traditional mobile or wired networks argue in favor of alternative connectivity solutions ,” the organization emphasizes in its report, “The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2024.”
The cover does not guarantee use
It should be noted, however, that the exact market entry timeline for Starlink and Eutelsat has not been specified. The deployment methods and access conditions for the affected populations also remain unknown.
Furthermore, the initiative emphasizes network coverage, even though this does not systematically guarantee the adoption of internet services. Despite near-universal mobile network coverage of the Gabonese population, more than 30% of inhabitants were not using the internet in 2024, according to data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). For mobile telephony, the gap between coverage and usage was smaller, with approximately 15% of the population not using these services.
Other factors come into play, such as the cost of compatible devices and services. For smartphones, the World Bank estimates that approximately 60% of the Gabonese population over the age of 15 owned one in 2024. Regarding the price of services, the ITU estimated that the cost of a 5 GB fixed internet package represented 6.63% of per capita gross national income (GNI) in Gabon in 2025, compared to 2.65% for mobile internet. However, these ratios should not exceed 2% for the service to be considered affordable, according to the organization.
Also relevant are the digital skills of the population, the availability of content and services tailored to their needs, and the quality and stability of the connection. Access to electricity, essential for charging devices, and the availability of suitable payment methods can also limit the use of digital services in certain areas.
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