Elon Musk’s Starlink Is Coming to Africa

Elon Musk’s Starlink is partnering with Africa’s Amazon, Jumia, to bring its satellite broadband technology to the continent.

Jumia will sell Starlink’s communications devices on its online retail platform which operates in nearly a dozen countries, company executive Hisham El Gabry said, according to Bloomberg. Starlink will use Jumia’s logistics network to sell its tech to communities that currently lack access to high-speed broadband. This is the first sales and distribution deal for Starlink in Africa, home to 1.2 billion people. 

“We have seen Starlink do these type of deals in Southeast Asia and South America, and now Africa will also have the opportunity to access the fast-speed internet services,” El Gabry said. “The plan is to start selling through our sites and agents in Nigeria this month, and then Kenya.”

Starlink works by connecting users to a constellation of satellites that enable high-speed, low-latency internet no matter where you are in the world, so long as you have a clear view of the sky. Starlink has some 1 million users.

Africa has the world’s lowest broadband access and much of the continent has access to old and slow 2G and 3G connections. Starlink offers much faster internet connectivity by contrast. Starlink costs about $100 per month, as well as a several hundred-dollar installation fee. It is unclear if the fees will be similar in Africa, or if Starlink will be offered at a lower price on the continent to boost access.