Starlink Expands High-Speed Internet to Guinea-Bissau, Advancing Africa’s Digital Connectivity

Starlink has launched its high-speed, low-latency internet service in Guinea-Bissau, advancing Africa’s digital connectivity.

The launch follows a provisional licence granted in December 2024 and full approval by the National Regulatory Authority for Information and Communication Technologies (ARN-TIC) in April 2025.

With this launch, Guinea-Bissau becomes the 23rd African country to license the Elon Musk satellite internet constellation. The service is now available in several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana, Angola, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and now Guinea-Bissau.

Starlink’s entry in Guinea-Bissau comes as the country lags in expanding broadband internet connections. Only around 33 percent of all residents have access to the internet.

As of January 2024, approximately 686,200 people, or 31.6% of the population, were internet users, a significant increase from 2.9% in 2012. Mobile broadband is the primary mode of access, with 2.25 million cellular mobile connections (103.3% of the population, as many have multiple connections).

4G coverage reaches about 32% of the population, but 5G is not yet available as of 2023. The main providers are Orange Bissau and Telecel (formerly MTN), with Starlink recently approved to operate, aiming to improve coverage in remote areas. Challenges include high costs (1 GB of mobile data costs about 21% of average monthly income), limited infrastructure, and unreliable power supply.

Starlink’s entry in the Western African country, is expected to enhance high-speed, low-latency internet access, particularly in underserved areas, potentially closing the digital gap where 67.5% of the population remains offline. Fixed broadband is nearly nonexistent, and free Wi-Fi hotspots are limited, with no comprehensive data on their availability.

Notably, Starlink’s ability to reach remote areas could significantly reduce Guinea-Bissau’s digital divide, potentially increasing internet penetration beyond the current 31.6%. By enabling access to global markets, education, and healthcare, Starlink could boost GDP growth (a 1% increase in internet users can raise per capita GDP by up to 0.4% in sub-Saharan Africa) and empower communities.

Also, the Elon-Musk owned internet service presence, may push local providers to innovate, but it could also strain smaller ISPs unable to compete with its global scale and pricing structure.

Starlink’s launch in Guinea-Bissau is a transformative step toward closing the digital divide, offering high-speed internet to underserved regions and fostering digital inclusion. It could drive economic growth, education, and innovation, particularly in rural areas.

However, high costs and potential capacity issues may limit its reach among low-income populations, and concerns about technological sovereignty persist. The overall impact will depend on Starlink’s ability to balance affordability, local partnerships, and regulatory compliance while maintaining service quality.

It is worth noting that Starlink has been expanding across African countries since its debut in Nigeria in January 2023, aiming to enhance the continent’s digital connectivity, where internet penetration is only about 40% compared to a global average of 66%.

The internet service operates a constellation of over 7,600 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, delivering high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved and remote areas. Its significant expansion across Africa,  addresses the continent’s connectivity challenges, including low internet penetration (43% in early 2024), high costs, and limited infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where smartphone usage lags urban areas by up to 200%.

Looking ahead

Starlink’s aggressive expansion, supported by partnerships with local telecoms like Airtel and Paratus Group, positions it to potentially become Africa’s most widespread ISP.