Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially launched in Lesotho to revolutionize internet connectivity in the country.
The launch comes after the internet service provider was granted a 10-year operating licence by the country’s communications regulator on April 14, 2025.
This swift rollout less than two months after approval, signals Lesotho’s urgent push to improve digital connectivity across its mountainous terrain.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 19 (Feb 9 – May 2, 2026): big discounts for early bird.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register for Tekedia AI Lab: From Technical Design to Deployment (next edition begins Jan 24 2026).
Lesotho, a small, landlocked country in Southern Africa, faces significant hurdles in achieving widespread internet connectivity due to its mountainous terrain, limited infrastructure, and socioeconomic constraints. As of 2025, internet penetration stands at just 47%, leaving over half the population offline.
Internet access in Lesotho has historically been limited by geographic and economic barriers. The country relies primarily on traditional telecom providers like Vodacom Lesotho and Econet Telecom, which offer 2G, 3 G, and limited 4G services. However, coverage is uneven, with urban areas like Maseru enjoying better access while remote, mountainous regions often lack reliable service. Fixed broadband infrastructure, such as fiber, is minimal, and most users depend on mobile data, which can be slow and costly.
The launch of Starlink in the country marks a significant shift. The Elon Musk-owned satellite internet constellation of over 7,600 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites offers a promising solution, delivering median download speeds of 70–100 Mbps significantly higher than many local ISPs.
The rollout will cover both urban hubs and remote areas, where traditional 4G coverage remains sparse. Starlink’s satellite technology is well-suited to solve Lesotho’s internet issues by providing high-speed, reliable connectivity to rural and urban areas alike, supporting economic growth and digital inclusion. Affordable community access and job creation potential enhance its impact, but addressing cost barriers and local equity concerns will be critical to maximize benefits.
Affordability is no doubt a key concern in Lesotho, where nearly 27% of the population lives in poverty. Similar challenges were observed in Guinea-Bissau, where despite vast offline populations, Starlink’s cost restricts access. Nonetheless, the potential for economic and social impact remains significant.
Lesotho’s local telecom operators such as Vodacom Lesotho and Econet Telecom are now confronted with new competition. While these companies have yet to respond publicly, regional trends suggest that traditional ISPs are closely monitoring satellite internet’s rapid uptake. In Kenya, for instance, market leader Safaricom raised regulatory concerns in 2024, warning that satellite providers posed potential risks to network quality and national security.
Starlink expansion to Lesotho comes after earlier this month, it 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.
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%.
Its rapid growth is evident in markets like Nigeria, where it reached over 8,300 subscribers by mid-2024. While praised for expanding access, critics argue that Starlink’s cost remains a barrier. Pricing in Lesotho is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to fall within the African average of $28–$50 per month, with hardware priced between $178 and $381.
For Lesotho, improved connectivity could unlock new opportunities in education, healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, driving broader socioeconomic growth. As Lesotho steps into the satellite internet era, the country faces a pivotal moment — one that could redefine digital inclusion and reshape its economic landscape.