Starlink: List of East African Countries Elon Musk Plans to Launch Satellite Internet in After Kenya
- Elon Musk's Starlink continues to expand its market across Africa, with 22 countries allowing the satellite internet's operations
- In East Africa, Kenya became the first country to allow Starlink operations when the company entered the market in July 2023
- The SpaceX subsidiary now eyes markets like Uganda and Tanzania, among other East African countries
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Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, climate, and health reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. He currently works as a business editor at TUKO.co.ke.
American billionaire Elon Musk continues to expand his Starlink internet market reach in Africa.
Source: Getty Images
The company now boasts operations across 22 countries, almost half of the African nations.
Starlink has obtained a license to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) starting May 2025.
This becomes the latest country in East Africa (EA) to allow the operations of the satellite internet.
Which East African countries have licensed Starlink?
Kenya became the first EA country to allow Starlink internet operations.
The satellite internet provides competition in the Kenyan market due to its high speed and discounted prices.
Starlink's market share in Kenya increased to 16,786 or 1.1% of subscribers for the period between July and September 2024.
Other EA countries where Starlink operates include Rwanda, Burundi, and the Republic of South Sudan.
In which countries will Starlink launch operations soon?
The SpaceX subsidiary has obtained assurances and permits to operate in other EA countries. These are:
1. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the latest country to welcome Starlink into its internet market.
According to Space in Africa, the Congolese Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC) licensed the company to run its operations in the country.
Starlink will launch its operations in the country via Starlink DRC S.A., a Congolese-registered entity.
2. Somalia
The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia granted Starlink an operation license in April 2025.
The government of Somalia welcomed Starlink, noting that the satellite internet aligns with its vision to deliver affordable and accessible internet services to all Somalis.
3. Tanzania
Tanzania has yet to approve Starlink operations in the country.
In November 2024, Starlink Satellite Tanzania Limited applied for the necessary licenses to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
4. Uganda
Source: Twitter
Although Uganda has not issued Starlink an operation license, President Yoweri Museveni welcomed the satellite internet to the country.
In April 2025, Museveni met Starlink officials to discuss ways for the entry of the internet service.
He described Starlink as low-cost internet accessible in hard-to-reach areas.
How Starlink plans to serve East Africa
To increase its speed and enhance services in EA, Starlink launched a new Point of Presence (POP) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The POP, the first-ever across the continent, is aimed at reducing internet latency for Starlink subscribers across the region.
SpaceX further plans to install a second POP on the continent in South Africa to serve the region, the Western Indian Ocean, and the Southern Atlantic.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
