SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is now officially operational in Somalia, marking a major milestone for digital connectivity in the East African nation. The announcement was confirmed by CEO Elon Musk himself on Sunday via the social media platform X, as Somali officials also confirmed that the long-anticipated operational license had been granted.
The approval was finalized after over two years of discussions between Starlink and Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA). At a launch ceremony held in Mogadishu, officials hailed the agreement as a breakthrough moment for the country’s telecommunications sector.
“Starlink’s entry into Somalia represents a significant milestone in our efforts to bridge the digital divide,” said Mustafa Yaasin Sheik, Director General of the NCA. “We have been in talks with this company for two and a half years. We gave them the license today.”
Minister of Communications and Technology Mohamed Mo’allim echoed the sentiment, noting that the government strongly supports the initiative. “This aligns with our vision to deliver affordable and accessible internet services to all Somalis,” he said.
Somalia currently suffers from patchy and unreliable internet, particularly outside major urban centers. While the country is connected to several undersea fiber optic cables, challenges such as outdated infrastructure, limited reach, and high service costs have left many areas underserved. According to the latest data, only about 30% of the Somali population had access to the internet as of 2022.
That number is expected to grow substantially as Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation will be able to provide reliable, high-speed internet to rural communities, schools, businesses, and emergency services that previously had limited or no connectivity.
Starlink is already operational in several other African nations, including Liberia and Niger. Its launch in Somalia adds to a growing footprint on the continent, as more countries look to satellite internet to complement or bypass the limitations of traditional broadband networks.
