Starlink Secures Approval to Enter Côte d’Ivoire

Starlink is preparing to launch commercial satellite internet services in Côte d’Ivoire next month after securing the regulatory approvals required to operate in the country.

The announcement was made by Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, who confirmed on June 11 that SpaceX’s satellite internet provider will begin offering fixed broadband services through its low-Earth-orbit satellite network from July 2026.

According to the ministry, the service could help improve internet access in rural communities, schools, healthcare facilities, and other areas where traditional telecommunications infrastructure remains limited.

Entering an Established Market

Starlink’s arrival comes as satellite connectivity gains importance in Côte d’Ivoire’s broadband sector. Unlike several African markets where satellite internet services are still emerging, Côte d’Ivoire already has operators offering similar solutions. Telecommunications companies Orange and MTN currently provide satellite and hybrid connectivity services through partnerships with Eutelsat, extending internet coverage to locations beyond the reach of conventional networks.

The addition of Starlink introduces a new competitor into a market that continues to expand as demand for reliable internet access grows across the country.

Although telecommunications infrastructure has improved significantly in recent years, connectivity gaps remain. Government figures indicate that internet coverage reaches approximately 95% of the population. However, DataReportal estimates that Côte d’Ivoire had 13.4 million internet users at the end of 2025, representing an internet penetration rate of 40.7%.

Demand for Internet Services Continues to Grow

The country’s internet market has recorded strong growth in recent years.

Data from the Telecommunications and ICT Regulatory Authority of Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI) shows that internet services generated CFA170 billion (approximately $301 million) in revenue during the third quarter of 2025. That represented a 19% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.

Internet services accounted for more than 52% of total telecommunications sector revenue during the quarter, underlining the segment’s growing importance to operators.

Starlink Enters a Price-Sensitive Market

Starlink will enter the market with a different pricing structure from existing satellite internet providers. Orange and MTN currently offer satellite internet kits for around CFA150,000, with monthly subscriptions starting at approximately CFA25,000. By comparison, Starlink’s hardware typically costs about CFA400,000 across African markets, while monthly subscriptions range from CFA22,000 to CFA60,000 depending on the package selected. As the company launches operations in Côte d’Ivoire, one of its main challenges will be demonstrating that its network performance, speed, and coverage justify the higher upfront equipment costs in a market where established operators already have an existing customer base.

Read More about Starlink in Africa HERE