SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is now operational in Somalia, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital connectivity journey. The news was confirmed by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, and corroborated by a senior Somali government official.
“We have been in talks with this company (Starlink) for a period of two and a half years. We gave them the licence today,” said Mustafa Yasiin, director of communication in Somalia’s Ministry of Telecommunications, in a video shared by the state-owned SONNA news agency.
The entry of Starlink into Somalia is expected to bring high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved and remote regions of the country. With much of Somalia’s population residing in rural areas with limited digital infrastructure, the satellite-based service could play a transformative role in bridging the digital divide.
Yasiin emphasized the government’s optimism, stating, “We hope Starlink will increase the quality of the existing internet in Somalia and will make the internet service reach more remote areas.”
Starlink operates by deploying a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which beam internet signals directly to user terminals on the ground. This technology bypasses the need for extensive ground-based infrastructure, making it ideal for countries like Somalia where terrain and security concerns have hampered traditional internet rollout.
The availability of Starlink in Somalia comes at a time when digital connectivity is increasingly recognized as essential for economic development, education, healthcare access, and governance. It is also expected to support humanitarian efforts and remote work opportunities, particularly in areas previously cut off from reliable communication networks.
With Starlink already operational in over 70 countries, its entry into Somalia reflects both the growing global demand for reliable internet access and the potential of satellite technology to close connectivity gaps in Africa.
As Starlink begins rolling out its services, attention will now turn to how effectively it integrates with Somalia’s existing telecommunications infrastructure and what pricing models will be offered to ensure accessibility for the broader population.
