Starlink has officially launched operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a major step forward in bridging the nation’s deep digital divide.
The expansion comes after the satellite internet provider was issued a telecommunications license, by the Congolese Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC) on May 2, 2025.
Internet connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is characterized by low penetration rates and uneven access, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas, and between fixed and mobile internet. While mobile internet usage has shown growth in recent years, the country lags behind the African average in overall connectivity. Fixed internet infrastructure remains limited, and the quality of internet connections, including speeds, can be poor.
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In international comparisons, the DRC ranks relatively low in internet speeds, with an average download speed of 38.45 Mbit/second for fixed-network broadband.
As of early 2025, approximately 34 million people, or 30.6% of the population, had internet access. Mobile connections totaled 60.3 million, equating to 54.3% of the population, though not all include internet access. Median mobile internet speeds are around 17.03 Mbps, while fixed broadband speeds reach 39.87 Mbps, with significant growth in fixed connection speeds (up 5% from 2024).
Recall that in March 2024 DR Congo military officials banned Starlink, warning that rebels factions could misuse the encrypted satellite communications to evade detection. The service was declared illegal, and users faced threats of sanctions.
Fast forward to May 2025, DRC reversed the ban, eyeing 70% connectivity gap. In a statement, the regulatory authority declared, “Starlink is now authorised to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo as an internet service provider, following the regularisation of its administrative situation.”
Starlink expansion to the Central African country, is expected to be a game changer for the underserved rural and remote communities.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Its offerings are particularly impactful in underserved and remote areas, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where traditional internet infrastructure is limited.
Starlink’s satellite network, with over 6,000 satellites as of 2025, provides coverage to even the most remote areas, bypassing the need for terrestrial infrastructure like fiber or cell towers. In the DRC, this means rural and conflict-affected regions can access reliable internet without the logistical challenges of building physical networks.
Starlink’s DRC launch marks its 22nd African market, with services active as of June 2025. The company has also secured licenses in Somalia, Lesotho, and Guinea-Bissau in 2025, reflecting its aggressive African expansion.
Starlink’s entry pressures legacy ISPs like MTN and Airtel to improve services or lower prices. In markets like Nigeria, where mobile data costs $1.56/GB, Starlink’s flat-rate plans (e.g., $50/month for unlimited data) disrupt pricing models, pushing a narrative of competition and consumer empowerment over monopolistic control.
African governments, initially wary of Starlink due to security or regulatory concerns, are increasingly embracing it. The DRC’s license approval, reflects a growing acceptance of satellite internet as a tool for national development. This changes the narrative from regulatory resistance to progressive digital policy, positioning Africa as open to global tech partnerships.
In essence, Starlink’s African expansion is rewriting the continent’s story from one of digital exclusion to inclusion, innovation, and global integration, proving that Africa can harness advanced technology to redefine its future.
Notably, with its latest launch in DRC, it offers a transformative solution for connectivity in underserved regions, providing high-speed internet, global coverage, and user-friendly equipment.
Its ability to deliver broadband to remote areas without traditional infrastructure is a game-changer for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. However, affordability and power constraints remain hurdles for widespread adoption.