Elon Musk’s ambitious satellite internet service, Starlink, has officially become available in Burundi, marking the 15th African nation to receive access. This expansion is part of SpaceX’s mission to provide affordable, high-speed internet to underserved and remote regions worldwide.
Starlink, a division of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, was designed to address one of the most pressing global challenges: the lack of reliable internet in rural and underdeveloped areas. Using a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink delivers high-speed internet even in locations where traditional infrastructure like fiber-optic cables is non-existent or too costly to deploy.
The arrival of Starlink in Burundi represents a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide in Africa. For a nation with large rural populations and limited internet connectivity, satellite internet service will revolutionize everything including government services, education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and business & commerce, etc.
Burundi, like many African nations, has for so long faced challenges with internet access, particularly in rural and remote areas. The country’s internet penetration rate remains relatively low, leaving millions of Burundians without consistent access to the online world —which severely hampers economic growth, communication, and access to vital services such as education and telemedicine —thus Starlink becomes a solution to this challenge.
With Burundi as the 15th African country to receive Starlink services after Zimbabwe who received the service early this month —reflects SpaceX’s growing footprint in Africa. This expansion aligns with Musk’s vision to make high-speed internet accessible to everyone across the globe, particularly to people in [rural] areas where traditional service providers such as cable, or fiber have struggled to gain a foothold.
Other African countries where Starlink is available include Benin, Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. By the end of 2024, SpaceX is expected to expand Starlink to even more African nations [according to the map, 12 countries], driven by the strong demand for affordable, reliable internet on the continent.
While the introduction of Starlink in Burundi is promising, there are still challenges to overcome —one major hurdle being the cost. While Starlink is more affordable than building extensive ground infrastructure, it will still be out of reach for many Burundians, particularly in the lower-income brackets. However, there could be possibilities for subsidies or partnerships with local governments to make the service more accessible and affordable to everyone.
Additionally, there is a need for local knowledge and skills to manage and maintain the Starlink equipment. Installing Starlink dishes and ensuring their proper functioning will require trained personnel, presenting an opportunity for job creation and skill development in tech-related fields.
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Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, some leaders from African nations took the opportunity to meet with Elon Musk to attract investment to their countries.
“On the margins of the UN General Assembly, I held a meeting with Elon Musk, Founder of SpaceX, Tesla Motors, and Starlink to discuss investment opportunities in Namibia’s technology sector,” H.E. Nangolo Mbumba, President of Nambia wrote in a post on X. “I encouraged Elon to assist our efforts to bridge the digital gap.”
Musk also met with Hon. Sam Matekane, Prime Minister of The Kingdom of Lesotho, to explore the possibility of introducing Starlink to the country
“Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with Elon Musk to discuss advancing connectivity in Lesotho,” said Matekane in a post on X. “We are committed to exploring innovative solutions to improve internet access and bridge the digital divide for our people. Exciting developments lie ahead.”
Musk also met with South African President H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa and discussed opportunities for him to “invest back home”. According to some reports, Ramaphosa told Musk that South Africans have complained about Starlink not being available in the country to which Musk responded that the service is still waiting for regulatory approval.
According to Starlink’s availability map, Nambia and The Kingdom of Lesotho are expected to have Starlink before the end of 2024 while South Africa’s date is still unknown.
