Starlink to Elevate Chad’s Digital Access with Satellite Internet Services

The government of Chad has approved a new license for Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, as part of a mission to bring faster internet connectivity to the region. This long-awaited agreement, initiated in 2021, is a milestone for Chad, where only about 19% of the population had internet access by 2022.

By leveraging Starlink’s satellite technology, Chad will boost internet connectivity in areas that currently lack fiber infrastructure. This initiative promises to support digital public services and inspire tech innovation across the country, especially in its most underserved regions.

Starlink, an arm of SpaceX, runs an expansive network of low-Earth-orbit satellites with a mission to deliver high-speed internet to underserved parts of the world. As part of Chad’s vision for digital growth, Starlink’s introduction is set to strengthen the nation’s digital ecosystem and drive advancements and investments in education, healthcare by local tech startups.

Boukar Michel, Chad’s Communications Minister, stressed the significance of Starlink’s arrival, saying, “A large part of our territory is not covered by fibre optics, and I believe that Starlink will help us bridge this gap.”

With similar partnerships already underway in other African countries such as Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, and Kenya, Starlink’s expansion across the continent has faced regulatory hurdles in some areas. For example, in Cameroon, local authorities seized Starlink equipment over licensing disputes, putting a question mark on the company’s mission.

The introduction of Starlink’s satellite services in Chad could be transformative, potentially reducing internet costs and improving access in regions previously left out of the digital revolution. As Starlink accelerates its African expansion, ongoing competition with traditional ISPs will likely impact the pricing and availability of internet services across the continent.