Starlink Set for Côte d’Ivoire Launch

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, is set to launch commercial operations in Côte d’Ivoire in July 2026 after receiving regulatory approval from the country’s telecommunications regulator.

The Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI) has granted Starlink Network CIV a provisional 12-month licence to provide fixed high-speed satellite internet services nationwide, paving the way for the company’s entry into one of West Africa’s fastest-growing digital markets.

The approval was announced by Djibril Ouattara, Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation during the government’s Gouv’Talk dialogue series. According to the minister, the service is expected to improve connectivity in rural communities, schools, and health facilities that remain underserved by traditional broadband infrastructure.

The licence is expected to transition to a permanent authorisation after the provisional period, with regulatory fees linked to the company’s revenue generation in the country.

Côte d’Ivoire becomes one of the latest African markets to approve Starlink as the company continues its rapid expansion across the continent. Depending on the methodology used, industry trackers place Côte d’Ivoire between Starlink’s 27th and 30th African market, reflecting differences between counting licensed markets and those where commercial services are already live.

Starlink began its African rollout in 2023 with launches in Nigeria and Rwanda and has since expanded across multiple markets, including Senegal and Uganda earlier this year.

The service operates through a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites that deliver broadband connectivity directly to user terminals, allowing internet access in areas where fibre and mobile network infrastructure remain limited or unavailable.

The launch comes as Côte d’Ivoire accelerates broader digital infrastructure investments, including preparations for the rollout of 5G services.

Unlike some of Starlink’s earlier African markets, Côte d’Ivoire already has active satellite broadband providers.

In January, Orange Côte d’Ivoire partnered with Eutelsat to launch Orange Sat, a satellite connectivity service targeting underserved communities. MTN Côte d’Ivoire followed in April with a multi-year agreement with Eutelsat to provide satellite broadband services using Eutelsat Konnect’s high-throughput satellite capacity.

Starlink’s entry is therefore expected to intensify competition in the satellite broadband segment, giving businesses, institutions, and consumers additional connectivity options.

Despite its growing footprint, affordability remains a key challenge for satellite broadband adoption across Africa. While Starlink offers high-speed internet and broad geographic coverage, hardware and subscription costs remain significant for many households compared to traditional mobile and fixed broadband services.

Regulation also continues to shape the company’s expansion strategy. Governments across Africa have increasingly adopted a regulated approach to satellite broadband, approving services while imposing requirements related to spectrum use, regulatory oversight, revenue assurance, and data accountability.

The Côte d’Ivoire launch will test both the market’s appetite for satellite broadband and Starlink’s ability to compete against established operators already investing heavily in the sector.