Starlink terminals have quickly sold out in key cities across Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, reflecting a strong demand for its satellite internet services in Africa. High-speed internet packages from Starlink have sold out in cities like Harare, Lusaka, Nairobi, and several Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Warri. According to Starlink, no new orders can be placed in these areas due to “service unavailability” as the current capacity for residential plans has been reached, as seen in Harare. Starlink has not yet announced a timeline for increasing capacity in these regions.
In Zimbabwe, Starlink’s popularity surged within two months of its September launch. After obtaining its operating license, the company saw high interest, with customers now buying terminals directly from the website, avoiding resellers who previously charged steep markups. Kenya and Nigeria have also seen rapid Starlink adoption despite recent price hikes, highlighting the need for fast, dependable, and affordable internet.
Local telecom companies are responding to Starlink’s success. In Kenya, Safaricom, the leading provider, plans to partner with a satellite provider to extend internet access to rural areas. CEO Peter Ndegwa noted that satellite internet will complement existing networks, mentioning plans to offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps to stay competitive.
Telecoms in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Cameroon are also adjusting their strategies. In Zimbabwe, Liquid Home lowered prices, and TelOne partnered with Eutelsat’s OneWeb for satellite services. Nigeria’s MTN, Airtel, and Globacom have applied to increase prices for the first time in over a decade, following Starlink’s price hikes.
The arrival of Starlink and other LEO (Low Earth Orbit) providers signals a new competitive era for African telecoms, pushing them to innovate with faster fiber speeds, service bundles, and regulatory advocacy to secure their market positions as Starlink’s presence grows.
