Elon Musk’s Starlink finally launches in Zimbabwe

SpaceX’s satellite broadband service, Starlink, has officially launched in Zimbabwe, providing internet access for US$50 per month. There is also a one-time fee of US$350 for the setup kit, as detailed on the company’s website.

This comes four months after Zimbabwe officially granted Elon Musk’s SpaceX permission to operate its satellite internet service, Starlink.

Just 34.8% of Zimbabwe’s population had internet access as of 2021. The arrival of Starlink is viewed as a potential game changer, addressing long-standing issues of high data costs and limited connectivity in rural areas.

Elon Musk’s Starlink made its African debut in January 2023, with Nigeria as its first launch site. The next-gen satellite internet provider promised to revolutionize high-speed internet connectivity in Africa and had ambitious plans to expand across the continent.

By October 2023, the service was officially available in seven African countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi, and Zambia. Since then, Starlink has extended its reach to at least 14 African countries, including Mauritius and Sierra Leone. Zimbabwe has become the latest country added to the list.

However, its journey in Africa has been far from smooth. The continent, where only 40% of the 1.3 billion people have internet access—the lowest rate in the world—presents significant regulatory challenges for Starlink.

For example, on August 14th, 2023, South Africa banned the import of Starlink kits, leaving the country cut off from SpaceX’s satellite internet. Despite its presence in neighbouring countries, South Africa, the region’s largest economy, has yet to join Starlink’s network.