Starlink launches in Equatorial Guinea, expands to 30 African markets

SpaceX’s satellite internet company, Starlink, has officially launched its high-speed internet service in Equatorial Guinea, making the Central African nation the company’s 30th market on the continent.

The company announced the development on Saturday, confirming that its low-Earth-orbit satellite broadband service was now available in the country.

Equatorial Guinea has also been added to Starlink’s coverage map, indicating that customers in eligible locations can now access the service.

The launch represents another step in Starlink’s rapid expansion across Africa as the company seeks to extend reliable broadband connectivity to markets where traditional telecommunications infrastructure remains limited.

Entry follows months of regulatory discussions

Starlink’s entry into Equatorial Guinea follows months of discussions between SpaceX and government officials.

In March 2026, the Equatorial Guinean government announced that it had begun negotiations with Starlink to examine the company’s potential establishment in the country.

During the discussions, Starlink presented plans to operate as a retail internet service provider through a local entity, Starlink Guinea Ecuatorial.

The government subsequently granted provisional regulatory approval on July 29, 2026.

The initial authorisation was limited in scope, allowing Starlink to provide services to American companies operating offshore, particularly businesses in the oil sector. The arrangement was intended to enable authorities to assess the technology and its potential benefits before considering a broader rollout.

The latest activation suggests that Starlink has now moved beyond the initial restricted arrangement to provide its service more broadly within the country.

Starlink targets connectivity gaps

Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit technology could help expand internet access in parts of Equatorial Guinea where conventional telecommunications infrastructure is difficult or expensive to deploy.

Unlike traditional broadband networks that depend heavily on terrestrial fibre or mobile towers, Starlink delivers internet connectivity through a constellation of satellites positioned in low Earth orbit.

This allows the service to reach remote and underserved locations without requiring extensive physical network infrastructure.

According to data cited in the original report, internet penetration in Equatorial Guinea is estimated at roughly 60 to 63 per cent, while the country has about 885,000 active mobile connections.

The arrival of another broadband provider could therefore increase competition and provide additional connectivity options for households, businesses and institutions.

Competition with existing operators

Starlink will enter a market already served by telecommunications and digital infrastructure companies, including GETESA, Telgesa and the state-owned Gestor de Infraestructuras de Telecomunicaciones de Guinea Ecuatorial.

The company’s satellite-based model could give it an advantage in areas where mobile networks and fibre infrastructure have limited reach.

Starlink’s entry also comes as existing operators invest in upgrading their networks.

GETESA, for instance, is working with Huawei on network optimisation, including plans involving 5G deployment, increased fibre capacity and mobile financial services.

The country is also connected to international submarine cable systems, including the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) and South Atlantic Inter Link (SAIL) systems, while domestic fibre networks support terrestrial connectivity.

30th African market

The launch makes Equatorial Guinea the 30th African country where Starlink has activated its services.

The company has continued to expand its African footprint during 2026, with launches or regulatory developments in countries including Côte d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic and Senegal.

Uganda has also granted regulatory approval for Starlink to commence operations after previously restricting the company’s entry into the market.

Starlink’s expansion comes as satellite broadband becomes an increasingly important part of Africa’s connectivity landscape, particularly in countries seeking to extend internet access beyond major urban centres.

Potential impact on businesses and rural communities

For Equatorial Guinea, Starlink could provide an alternative source of high-speed internet for businesses operating in remote locations, particularly companies in the energy and natural resources sectors.

The service could also support schools, healthcare facilities, government institutions and communities located outside areas with strong terrestrial network coverage.

The broader commercial availability of satellite internet may further intensify competition within Equatorial Guinea’s telecommunications market, potentially encouraging existing operators to improve network quality, coverage and pricing.

Starlink’s latest expansion therefore represents more than the arrival of another internet provider. It forms part of a wider shift towards satellite-based connectivity as African countries seek new ways to close their digital gaps and connect communities beyond the reach of traditional telecommunications infrastructure.