Airtel Africa is teaming up with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity to millions of people across the continent. The partnership will see Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology rolled out across all 14 of Airtel Africa’s markets, with commercial service expected to begin in 2026, subject to country-by-country regulatory approvals.
Under the agreement, Airtel Africa customers with compatible smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites in areas where traditional cellular infrastructure does not exist. At launch, the service will support data for select applications along with text messaging, providing a critical lifeline in remote and underserved regions where building terrestrial networks is either prohibitively expensive or geographically impractical.
Beyond the initial rollout, the partnership also includes support for Starlink’s first broadband Direct-to-Cell system. This next-generation technology relies on advanced satellites designed to dramatically increase performance, with Airtel Africa noting potential data speeds up to 20 times faster than earlier satellite-to-mobile capabilities.
Over time, the service is expected to evolve toward high-speed broadband connectivity delivered directly to smartphones, without the need for specialized hardware.
Airtel Africa operates in 14 countries and serves more than 170 million customers, making it the first mobile network operator on the continent to commit to Starlink Direct-to-Cell at this scale. The move underscores a broader strategy to close Africa’s persistent connectivity gaps, particularly in rural communities where reliable mobile service can have outsized economic and social benefits, from emergency response to access to education and digital services.
From Starlink, the deal represents another major milestone in its global direct-to-cell rollout. The technology will now be present on six continents after already launching in Canada, the United States, Ukraine and elsewhere through partnerships with local mobile operators.
In partnership with Airtel Africa, Starlink Direct to Cell will connect more than 170 million people in Africa across 14 countries, powering life-saving connectivity when it’s needed most. This marks the sixth continent for the satellite-to-mobile service and expands our mission… pic.twitter.com/bOvzwJkbhn
— Starlink (@Starlink) December 17, 2025
