U.S. satellite internet provider Starlink has launched commercial services in the Central African Republic, aiming to expand nationwide connectivity in one of the world’s least connected countries.
The rollout, announced on March 16, marks another step in the company’s rapid African expansion since entering the continent via Nigeria in 2023. Starlink is now present in roughly 30 African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and Senegal.
Authorities in Bangui see the technology as a potential breakthrough for improving connectivity in a country where infrastructure gaps have long hindered internet access, particularly in rural and remote areas.
The launch follows a partnership between the government and local distributor DEVEA Centrafrique, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Posts and Telecommunications.
High hopes for bridging the digital divide
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Officials say satellite-based connectivity could help narrow the digital divide in the Central African Republic, where about 86 percent of the population remained offline in 2024, according to the International Telecommunication Union.
Starlink operates a constellation of around 10,000 low-Earth orbit satellites, enabling high-speed internet coverage even in areas where traditional terrestrial networks are difficult or costly to deploy.
Industry body GSMA says such non-terrestrial solutions will be key to achieving universal connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa, where geographic and economic barriers complicate network rollout.
“The region hosts some of the most challenging terrains for terrestrial networks, including rainforests, deserts and mountain ranges,” the GSMA said in its Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report.
Connectivity indicators in the Central African Republic remain among the lowest globally. The GSMA assigned the country a mobile coverage score of just 30 out of 100 in 2024. Second-generation networks covered about 59.6 percent of the population, while third-generation reached around 60 percent. Fourth- and fifth-generation networks are not yet available.
Performance metrics also lag significantly. Data from Ookla showed average mobile download speeds of 5.4 Mbps and upload speeds of 7 Mbps, underscoring the limitations of existing infrastructure.
Affordability remains a major barrier
Despite its promise, Starlink’s pricing raises concerns about accessibility in a low-income market.
The service costs CFA33,000 ($57.76) per month, excluding a 19 percent value-added tax. Customers must also purchase equipment, with a standard kit priced at CFA240,000 ($420.5) and a smaller “Mini” kit costing CFA123,000.
These costs place the service well beyond the reach of most households. Based on a gross national income per capita of about $510 in 2024, the monthly subscription alone represents roughly 136 percent of average monthly income, according to World Bank data.
This far exceeds the ITU’s affordability benchmark, which defines internet access as affordable when it costs no more than 2 percent of monthly income.
Even existing connectivity options remain expensive. The ITU estimates that 5 GB of mobile data in the country costs about 53.7 percent of monthly income, while fixed broadband reaches 76.6 percent.
Structural challenges to adoption
Beyond cost, several structural barriers continue to limit internet adoption across the country and the wider region.
Access to compatible devices remains uneven, with smartphones, tablets and computers still out of reach for many households. The GSMA estimates that the cost of a smartphone in sub-Saharan Africa is equivalent to about 26 percent of monthly GDP per capita.
Other constraints include low levels of digital literacy, limited availability of local content, and concerns around security and user experience.
While Starlink’s entry represents a significant technological step forward, analysts say widespread adoption will depend on whether costs fall and complementary investments in digital ecosystems follow.
For now, the service is expected to primarily serve businesses, institutions and higher-income users, even as policymakers hope it will eventually support broader digital inclusion in the Central African Republic.
