Starlink has officially launched its high-speed internet services in Burundi, one of the world’s poorest nations. This development comes after Burundi’s President granted the company an official license to operate within the country, marking a significant step toward improving internet connectivity.
As of January 2024, only 1.5 million Burundians, or 11.3% of the country’s 12.89 million population, have access to the internet. The low penetration rate is largely due to high internet costs and the lack of infrastructure.
With Starlink’s entry into the market, Burundi joins the growing list of African countries embracing satellite-based internet solutions to bridge the digital divide.
Starlink, a division of SpaceX, was created to tackle one of the most significant challenges in today’s world: the lack of reliable internet in underserved regions. By deploying a constellation of Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink can provide high-speed internet to areas where traditional infrastructure, like fiber-optic cables, is either too expensive or impractical to instal
Burundi, like many African nations, has long faced difficulties in providing consistent internet access, particularly in rural areas. As of January 2024, only 11.3% of the population has access to the internet.
This low penetration rate is due in part to the high cost of internet services and insufficient infrastructure, which hampers economic development and limits access to essential services such as online education and telemedicine.
Starlink’s satellite-based solution bypasses the need for costly ground infrastructure, offering a viable option to improve connectivity across the country. Its launch could help Burundi leapfrog traditional internet solutions, bringing reliable internet to millions who previously had little to no access.
With Burundi now on board, Starlink is available in 15 African nations, following its recent launch in Zimbabwe. Other African countries that have gained access to Starlink include Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Zambia. SpaceX’s expansion aligns with Elon Musk’s vision of providing affordable, high-speed internet to remote regions around the globe.
“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,” Nangolo Mbumba, President of Nambia wrote in a post on X. “I encouraged Elon to assist our efforts to bridge the digital gap.”
By the end of 2024, Starlink is expected to extend its services to even more African nations, as demand for affordable, reliable internet continues to grow across the continent.
“Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with Elon Musk to discuss advancing connectivity in Lesotho,” said prime minister Sam 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.”
Despite the promising potential of Starlink, certain challenges remain. One of the primary concerns is the cost of the service.
While Starlink’s satellite internet is less expensive than building ground-based infrastructure, it may still be too costly for many Burundians, particularly those in lower-income brackets. There may be opportunities for government subsidies or partnerships to make the service more affordable and accessible to a broader population.
Additionally, there is a need for local expertise to install and maintain the Starlink equipment. This presents an opportunity for job creation and skills development in the tech sector, as locals will be needed to ensure that the service operates smoothly.