The satellite internet constellation belonging to Elon Musk, Starlink, officially obtained operational license approval to launch its services in Somalia.
The launch of the satellite internet service provider in the Eastern African country should improve internet coverage and considerably improve digital inclusion on a national level.
Speaking about the launch of Starlink, the director general of the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia, said, said
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“The entry of Starlink into Somalia represents an important step in our efforts to fill the digital divide in our country, this partnership will particularly benefit individuals and institutions in rural areas, where internet access has been extremely limited.”
Also expressing himself, the Minister of Communications and Technology, said Mohamed Mo’Allim,
“We welcome Starlink’s entry into Somalia. This initiative is aligned with our vision of providing affordable internet services accessible to all Somalians, regardless of where they live. ”
The Somalia Internet landscape quickly went from quasi-isolating to increasing connectivity. In the past, decades of civilian conflict and minimum infrastructure have left Somalia largely offline. Today, internet access is increasingly recognized as vital for economic recovery, social development and security.
The impact of improving internet connectivity cannot be overestimated. For many Somalians, especially those who live in rural areas and badly served, reliable internet access has remained elusive. The Somali government policies and initiatives To promote the ICT sector.
However, the penetration of the Internet of Somalia remains relatively low and uneven. Average mobile download speeds fly over around 17 Mbps, which, although modest, allows basic users. On the other hand, traditional high speed online fixed is practically absent for residential consumers only on 1% of Somalians have a fixed internet subscription.
About only 1% of the population has a fixed connection at high speed (> 256 kbps)Because most households are based rather on Wi-Fi with large mobile or community strips. It should be noted that until recently, each region had its dominant supplier, and the interconnection between the networks lacked. Now, with regulatory efforts, all the main operators are interconnected and collectively expanding services. Overall, the current Somalia Internet landscape can be summarized as Improvement of mobile, quickly improving urban areas, but always faced with gaps in rural connectivity and large -band fixed penetration.
The Internet by Satellite with low latency with a low latency of Starlink aims to fill this digital fracture. The introduction of Starlink into Somalia is more than just technological progress. It involves empowering communities, promoting economic growth and facilitating access to essential services such as education and health care.
In a nation where traditional infrastructure faces important challenges, Internet satellite offers a viable and effective solution. Starlink’s launch in Somalia is part of a wider African strategy that started Nigeria in 2023 and now includes Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia and others. With a subscriber base exceeding 1.5 million worldwide and an assessment exceeding USD 150 billion, SpaceX takes advantage of emerging markets to fuel growth.
In particular, the digital inclusion policy in 2025 in Somalia, which prioritizes rural access and telemedicine, is aligned with Starlink’s capacities, potentially attracting other foreign investments in energy, logistics and mining. While Somalia joins the global satellite high speed market, which should reach 83 billion USD by 2030 with a 22%TCAC, the launch of Starlink highlights a wider truth, that connectivity is no longer a luxury but a foundation for economic and social progress.
Whether it knows the challenges of Somalia infrastructure or weakening pressure on cost and security remains to be seen, but the potential to unlock opportunities for millions is undeniable.
