The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially granted a licence to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, paving the way for its rollout in the coming days. This decision marks a significant policy shift after authorities banned the service in 2024 over national security concerns.
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is rapidly expanding across Africa, with recent licences granted in Somalia and Lesotho in April. With limited internet infrastructure and only about 30% of the population online as of 2023 (according to the International Telecommunication Union), DRC represents a major growth opportunity for the satellite-based internet service.
The Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, which had previously banned Starlink and threatened sanctions against users, announced on Friday that the company had now received official clearance to operate.
The earlier hesitation stemmed from fears within the military that Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet could be exploited by armed rebel groups such as the Rwandan-backed M23, which has escalated territorial gains in eastern Congo this year.
No further details were provided by the regulatory authority, and officials have not yet commented on the rationale behind the reversal.
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Meanwhile, Starlink is also eyeing expansion in neighbouring Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni recently confirmed holding productive talks with the company’s representatives about bringing the service to his country.
As Starlink moves closer to launching in Congo, its presence promises to reshape connectivity in one of Africa’s most underserved markets, potentially transforming access to education, business, healthcare, and emergency communications.
