Airtel Africa is hoping to shake up its internet offerings in Nigeria, and across its footprints on the continent, by teaming up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, owners of Starlink, to bring next-generation satellite broadband to millions of subscribers, a move that is raising hopes for digital inclusion in underserved and rural communities across the country.
Under the strategic partnership, Airtel Africa says it is joining forces with SpaceX, the U.S.-based aerospace company operating Starlink, to deliver high-speed, low-latency satellite internet to its customers across the continent.
The rollout, which is already approved in Nigeria, alongside nine of Airtel’s 14 markets in Africa, is expected to transform how people and businesses in Nigeria and beyond access the internet.
The rollout, which is already approved in Nigeria, alongside nine of Airtel’s 14 markets in Africa, is expected to transform how people and businesses in Nigeria and beyond access the internet.
Airtel Africa: Partnership with SpaceX brings next-generation satellite connectivity
The development is sending ripples through Nigeria’s broadband space, where access to reliable internet remains a luxury for many in rural and remote regions. By combining Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology with Airtel Africa’s extensive local footprint, the alliance is aiming to bridge the digital divide, especially in areas where traditional fibre and mobile networks have struggled to reach.
“We remain deeply committed to our vision to enrich the lives of people of Africa,” Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, says in a statement announcing the partnership. “This partnership with SpaceX is a significant step to demonstrate our continued commitment to advancing Africa’s digital economy through strategic investments and partnerships. Next-generation satellite connectivity will ensure that every individual, business and community have reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity even in the most remote and currently underserved parts of Africa.”
As of January 2025, Nigeria’s telecoms market accounted for 141,541,831 active internet subscriptions with Starlink recording 65,564 as of Q3 2024, according to statistics by the telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
For Nigerian subscribers, the deal could bring new options for internet connectivity in locations facing slow speeds, patchy coverage, and infrastructural limitations. Starlink, which launched services in Nigeria in early 2023, is seen as a game-changer in the satellite broadband market, offering higher speeds and lower latency compared to legacy providers like Eutelsat and SES.
As of January 2025, Nigeria’s telecoms market accounted for 141,541,831 active internet subscriptions with Starlink recording 65,564 as of Q3 2024, according to statistics by the telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
With this new partnership, its reach are poised to deepen, especially through Airtel’s customer network and infrastructure.
For businesses, schools, and health centres—especially those in hard-to-reach locations—the partnership holds the promise of affordable and dependable broadband. Airtel Africa also plans to use Starlink to support cellular backhauling, the often-overlooked backbone that connects local cell towers to the global internet. This could significantly improve voice and data quality for millions of users in rural Nigeria.
Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX, says the collaboration demonstrates the benefits of partnering with local telecom giants. “We’re very excited to work with Airtel Africa to bring the transformative benefits of Starlink to the African people in new and innovative ways,” he says.
“Starlink is available in more than 20 African markets, and this agreement with Airtel highlights how, once licensed, Starlink welcomes the opportunity to join forces with important industry leaders to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from Starlink’s presence.”
The alliance is also expected to stimulate competition in Nigeria’s internet space by offering a viable alternative to fibre and mobile broadband—especially in places where laying cables or building towers is not economically feasible.
From a broader perspective, the deal highlights the growing importance of satellite connectivity in shaping Africa’s digital future. Airtel Africa, with over 156 million customers in countries including Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania, says it sees satellite internet as a crucial tool to unlock financial and digital inclusion.
In Nigeria, where millions remain offline due to infrastructural barriers and high costs, the Airtel-Starlink collaboration is arriving at a time when the government is pushing to increase broadband penetration and close the access gap. With Starlink now expanding from underserved areas to urban hubs, and Airtel leveraging its market reach, the Nigerian subscriber could be at the centre of a new era of connectivity.
As both companies continue to explore joint ventures, they say the focus will remain on “increasing digital inclusion” through shared infrastructure and localised delivery models.
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