Elon Musk’s SpaceX announced that Starlink set its foot in Africa after it successfully launched operations in the continent’s most populous state, Nigeria.
On its Twitter Page Tuesday, Space X promised Nigerians a more reliable fast internet speed.
“Starlink is now available in Nigeria – the first African country to receive service!”
Kenya is also among African countries scheduled for Starlink services, and would pose a threat to the country’s most dominant service provider, Safaricom.
Other African countries where Starlink will operate from are Zambia, Tanzania, and Morocco.
These countries will receive satellite-based internet service services by the end of 2023, while Ghana and Namibia will have to wait until 2024.
Musk, SpaceX Chief Executive announced the expansion of satellite-based internet service into Africa last year in May, stating that Starlink had been approved to offer broadband internet in Nigeria and Mozambique.
Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.
Most satellite internet services come from a single geostationary satellite orbiting the planet, while Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that orbit the planet.
Broadband internet makes telecommuting, online learning, telemedicine, job application, and skill acquisition possible.
According to the World Bank, digital connectivity can directly affect the productivity of firms, workers, and lead to improved economic outcomes.
