Airtel Africa, a leading telecommunications provider, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to bring high-speed, low-latency satellite internet to customers across 16 African countries.
This collaboration, revealed earlier this year, aims to bridge the digital divide by providing reliable broadband connectivity to both urban and remote regions, ensuring that individuals, businesses, and communities can access the internet for streaming, online gaming, video calls, and more.
The partnership leverages Starlink’s advanced satellite technology, which operates as the world’s first and largest low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation.
Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink delivers broadband speeds that rival traditional fiber-optic networks, even in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited.
Airtel Africa, with its extensive footprint and over 550 million customers across 15 countries in Africa and India, sees this collaboration as a pivotal step toward enhancing digital inclusion on the continent.
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Ltd., emphasized the significance of the partnership in a statement: “Working with SpaceX to offer Starlink to Airtel customers in India and now across Africa is a significant milestone.
“This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity, ensuring that even the most remote parts of Africa have access to world-class high-speed broadband.”
Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, also highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership.
“We are constantly amazed by the incredible things that people, businesses, and organizations achieve when connected via Starlink,” Shotwell said.
“Airtel has played a pivotal role in Africa’s telecom landscape, and working with them to complement our direct offering makes great sense for our business.”
The initiative builds on Airtel’s earlier agreement with SpaceX, announced on March 11, 2025, to bring Starlink services to India. Now, with the expansion into Africa, the partnership is set to redefine internet access across the continent.
Airtel Africa Starlink, as the service is branded, promises to deliver the fastest internet performance in the region, catering to the growing demand for reliable connectivity in an increasingly digital world.
Industry experts see this move as a game-changer for Africa’s digital economy, particularly in supporting the adoption of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 technologies.
The partnership aligns with Airtel’s broader mission to empower communities through technology, fostering opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
As of now, Airtel Africa has not disclosed specific rollout timelines or pricing details for the Starlink service, but the company has assured customers that more information will be shared in the coming months.
With this partnership, Airtel Africa and Starlink are poised to set a new standard for internet connectivity, bringing the continent closer to a fully connected future.
