Chad has granted approval for Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, to operate in the country, aiming to improve internet access in the central African nation.
Starlink, the satellite division of SpaceX, is already active in several African countries, though it has faced regulatory hurdles and opposition from state-run telecom monopolies in some regions.
Chad’s Communications Minister, Boukar Michel, confirmed the licensing on Tuesday, noting that discussions with Starlink had been ongoing since 2021 and they had reached an agreement on key terms.
According to the latest World Bank data, only 12% of Chad’s population had internet access in 2022.
Minister Michel highlighted the country’s lack of fiber optic infrastructure, expressing hope that Starlink would bridge this gap and improve digital access in remote areas, while supporting the growth of tech start-ups.
“Starlink now available in Chad!” Musk announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
The service is already available in countries like Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, and others across the continent.
However, Starlink has faced resistance in some countries, such as Cameroon, where authorities seized Starlink equipment earlier this year for operating without proper licensing.
In Kenya, Safaricom has suggested that satellite internet providers like Starlink should partner with local telecom operators to ensure smoother integration.
