N’Djamena, Chad – Chad has given the green light to Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, to expand internet access in the country. The move comes as the central African nation seeks to bridge its digital divide.
“We’ve been negotiating with Starlink since 2021 and have finally reached an agreement on the main points,” said Chad’s Communications Minister, Boukar Michel. “A large portion of our territory lacks fiber optic coverage, and we believe Starlink can help us overcome this challenge.”
The World Bank’s latest figures indicate that only 12% of Chad’s population had internet access in 2022. Improved internet connectivity is expected to streamline public services in remote areas and stimulate the growth of tech startups.
Elon Musk confirmed the news on X, stating, “Starlink now available in Chad!” The satellite internet provider has already made inroads in several African countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, and South Sudan.
While Starlink’s expansion in Africa has been largely successful, it has also faced regulatory obstacles. Cameroon seized Starlink equipment at ports earlier this year due to licensing issues. Additionally, Kenya’s leading telecom company, Safaricom, has urged regulators to mandate collaboration between satellite internet providers and local mobile network operators.
