It’s happening. As of this week, the Central African Republic just became the 26th country in Africa to officially turn on Starlink.
Two years ago, satellite internet felt like expensive sci-fi. Today, it is changing how Africa connects to the world. And it’s causing a big headache for the old phone and internet companies.
Why Is Everyone Talking About Starlink?
For a long time, the rule was simple: If you wanted fast internet, you had to live in a big city. Laying cables to villages costs too much money, so big companies like MTN or Vodacom just didn’t do it.
Starlink changed the game. Because its internet comes from space, it doesn't care if you are in downtown Nairobi or a village in Chad. The signal is the same.
But the real game-changer is the price.
- In Zimbabwe: Starlink costs around $30 a month. Before this, locals were paying over $100 for internet that was much slower.
- In Kenya: People are renting "Starlink Mini" kits for less than $15 a month. This forced local companies to drop their prices just to keep their customers.
The Big Problem: Who Controls the Internet?
Not every government is happy. Africa is now split into two groups:
1. The "Come On In" Group:
Countries like Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya said "Yes." They want their people to have fast internet for business and school.
2. The "Wait a Minute" Group:
Countries like South Africa and Uganda are saying "No" or "Not yet."
- South Africa: You still can’t officially buy Starlink there because of local ownership laws. People are smuggling kits in from neighbors just to get online.
- Uganda: They just blocked imports of the kits, worried about security and control.
The issue? Governments can tell a local company to shut down the internet during a protest. They can't easily tell a satellite in space to switch off.
What Happens Next?
The old companies are realizing they can't fight this. Airtel Africa has already decided to partner with Starlink instead of competing against them. Next year, they plan to use satellites to connect regular mobile phones.
The Bottom Line:
Politics aside, the user is winning. For the first time, where you live doesn't decide how fast your internet is. Whether you are a coder in Lagos or a farmer in Malawi, the playing field is finally leveling out.