Airtel Africa has sealed a major deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet in Uganda and other African countries.
This game-changing partnership promises to bridge long-standing digital gaps, especially in hard-to-reach rural areas.
Starlink, the satellite internet arm of SpaceX, is now licensed in 9 out of Airtel Africa’s 14 operational countries.
Licenses for the remaining five are still under review, but the rollout plans are already in motion. Uganda is one of the key markets expected to benefit early from this next-gen connectivity push.
According to Airtel Africa, the deal will boost internet access across schools, health centres, remote businesses, and underserved communities.
The initiative includes the use of satellite backhauls to support rural mobile networks, ensuring even the most isolated areas can enjoy reliable voice and data services.
Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding Africa’s digital economy.
“This partnership with SpaceX is a bold step forward,” he said. “It’s about making affordable, high-quality connectivity available to every African, no matter where they live.”
Taldar stressed that expanding digital inclusion is not just about profits—it’s about unlocking human potential and economic growth. With Starlink’s low-latency internet and Airtel’s local reach, the partnership aims to do just that.
Chad Gibbs, SpaceX’s Vice President for Starlink Business Operations, echoed the excitement.
“We’re thrilled to work with Airtel. They’ve played a key role in Africa’s telecom growth,” he said. “Partnering with them allows us to complement our services and get more people connected—faster and better.”
Gibbs noted that Starlink is already operational in over 20 African markets. However, teaming up with an established local operator like Airtel ensures faster, more targeted deployments, especially in regulatory-sensitive regions.
Just last month, Starlink representatives met with President Yoweri Museveni at State Lodge Nakasero. The President welcomed the move and expressed optimism about how Starlink can uplift Uganda’s internet infrastructure.
The arrival of Starlink in Uganda is expected to disrupt the status quo, offering new internet options where traditional fibre or mobile networks have struggled.
For many rural communities, this could mean first-time access to the digital world.
As digital connectivity becomes essential for education, commerce, and healthcare, this partnership signals a major leap forward in Uganda’s digital transformation journey.
