Kenya is seeing a mix of new opportunities in both technology and finance, with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service introducing instalment payment plans for its mini kits and Equity Bank advertising more than 20 job openings across its departments.
Starlink, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, launched its satellite internet service in Kenya in 2023 and introduced mini kits for consumers in September 2024 at a cost of about US$333. The company has now rolled out an instalment payment plan aimed at reducing upfront costs and expanding access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Under the new plan, customers pay an initial US$45 upfront, plus US$108 for activation and US$20 for shipment, with the remaining balance spread over six monthly instalments. The standard monthly subscription of US$43 will increase by US$30 per month for the kit over the instalment period. “Instalment payments are available for customers who prefer to pay for their Starlink mini kit over time,” the company said on its website.
Starlink initially grew quickly in Kenya, reaching 16,786 customers by September 2024, representing a 0.5 PERCENT market share. Growth slowed after the company temporarily halted subscriptions in Nairobi and Mombasa in November 2024 due to capacity constraints. Active subscriptions fell to 17,066 by March 2025 before resuming in June 2025.
As of December 2025, the Communications Authority of Kenya reported that Starlink had 19,146 customers, representing 0.8 percent of the fixed internet market. Safaricom leads the sector with a 35.6 percent share, followed by Jamii Telecom (20.6 percent), Wananchi Group (12.7 percent), and Poa Internet (12.5 percent). Analysts say high upfront costs have been a barrier for Starlink, and the instalment plan could help attract price-conscious consumers and regain momentum against competitors offering cheaper alternatives, including 5G routers priced below US$20.
