Airtel Africa announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with SpaceX to roll out Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across all its 14 African markets.
This development will help expand mobile network access to remote and underserved areas.
Under the partnership, Airtel Africa’s 174 million customers with compatible smartphones will be able to access network connectivity via Starlink satellites in regions without terrestrial coverage. The service is expected to begin in 2026, initially supporting text messaging and data for select applications.
The agreement also includes support for Starlink’s first broadband Direct-to-Cell system, powered by next-generation satellites capable of delivering high-speed connectivity to smartphones with data speeds up to 20 times faster than current capabilities.
Airtel Africa Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said the partnership aligns with the company’s strategy to improve access to reliable and contiguous mobile services.
“Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements the terrestrial infrastructure and even reaches areas where deploying terrestrial network solutions is challenging, and the collaboration would set a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets”, Taldar said.
Starlink Vice President of Sales Stephanie Bednarek said the agreement would enable connectivity in areas beyond the reach of traditional networks.
“For the first time, people across Africa will stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach. The partnership would also deliver next-generation broadband technology to improve access to essential services”, she said.
Airtel Africa and Starlink said they will continue to explore additional collaboration opportunities aimed at advancing digital inclusion across the continent.
