The satellite internet service belonging to Elon Musk Starlink launched operations in Chad, marking an important step in the company’s mission to reject the digital fracture of Africa.
Announced on X, wrote the company,
“Starlink’s broadband internet is now available in Chad, marking the 24th country, territory or market in Africa where Starlink is available”.
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The launch of Starlink in Chad comes after internet service, obtained license approval last year, to stimulate the country’s digital connectivity with satellite internet.
Chad, a large landlocked nation in Central Africa, has one of the lowest internet connectivity rates in the world. At the beginning of 2025, only about 13% of Chadians used the Internet, against a global average of around 60%. This means that around 7 out of 8 Chadians have no internet access. Most online users are concentrated in the capital N’Djamena and a few large cities.
This is shocking, around 87% of Chadians still have no internet access, one of the highest offline populations in the world. Starlink entry into Chad should give a substantial boost to the country’s digital infrastructure, facilitating the digitization of public services and promoting the growth of technological startups.
The use by Starlink of more than 7,000 satellites in low orbit (LEO) differentiates it from traditional satellite internet suppliers like Hughesnet and Viasat, which generally offer speeds from 100 to 150 Mbps. This technical advantage allows Starlink to provide a more reliable and more efficient internet, especially in rural areas and poorly served.
In a country like Chad, where the installation of fiber optic infrastructures can cost more than $ 30,000 per Mile, Starlink presents an evolutionary and profitable alternative. Its satellite approach bypasses the financial and logistical obstacles of terrestrial infrastructure, opening up new possibilities of connectivity in distant communities.
The launch of Starlink in Chad intervened after its launch of the operation at Lesotho last month, to revolutionize Internet connectivity in the country. The launch comes after the Internet service provider obtained a 10 -year operating license by the country’s communications regulator on April 14, 2025.
While Starlink continues its rapid deployment across Africa, the launch in Chad stands out not only as another expansion of the market, but as a symbolic step in the wider quest to democratize Internet access through the continent. With its presence in 24 African countries, Starlink cement its presence in Africa aggressively. The internet at high speed by satellite (median download speeds from 40 to 106 Mbps in African countries) surpasses many holes, offering a competitive alternative for businesses and individuals.
Its affordability in certain markets cheaper than ISPs to make ISPs in at least five countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe, have put traditional telecommunications to reduce prices and improve services. But although the promise is great, challenges remain. Affairs will be a key determinant of adoption.
While $ 25 per month can be accessible for intermediate income employees in urban areas, it could still be out of reach for rural surviving populations with less than $ 2 per day. If Starlink sails in regulatory landscapes and promotes local partnerships, its impact could reshape the digital future of Africa.
While Africa is held at the forefront of a digital transformation, the internet by satellite could very well be the key which unlocks the potential of its 1.3 billion residents – fueling a new era of innovation, inclusion and growth.
