Safaricom in Talks with Elon Musk for Possible Starlink Partnership

Safaricom is in discussions with Elon Musk’s Starlink and other satellite service providers regarding future partnerships, according to Peter Ndegwa, the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

“In the future, we will need to partner with Starlink or other satellite providers to integrate that technology into our offerings,” Ndegwa stated during an interview in New York. “We’ve had some discussions and will continue to explore ways to complement our services.”

Musk’s Starlink, part of SpaceX, has gained popularity by deploying satellites into low-Earth orbit to deliver high-speed internet globally. However, concerns have emerged from telecom operators who have invested heavily in local networks, questioning whether Starlink’s operations comply with national regulations.

Similar apprehensions have been voiced by governments in Taiwan and India, while countries such as Indonesia, Argentina, and Ghana have relaxed regulations for Starlink.

Starlink has focused on partnerships to provide internet services in remote areas worldwide, avoiding equity or ownership agreements. It has already secured a license to operate in Kenya.

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In Kenya, an advocacy group has taken Safaricom to court, alleging the telecom giant is attempting to block Starlink’s entry into the market, according to court filings seen by Metropol. However, Ndegwa dismissed these claims, stating that Safaricom is not obstructing Starlink but merely advocating for fair regulatory practices.

“There is a misconception that Safaricom is trying to hinder Starlink,” Ndegwa clarified. “We do not have the power to stop anyone from operating in Kenya that’s a decision for the regulators.”

In July, Safaricom sent a letter to regulators, urging that foreign satellite providers should be required to partner with local telecom operators when doing business in Kenya. The letter addressed the need to encourage local investment, create employment opportunities, and ensure compliance with national laws.

The telecom operator also raised concerns about potential security risks and regulatory challenges if satellite services like Starlink are allowed to operate independently, given their cross-border nature, as stated in a lawsuit filed by advocacy group Kituo Cha Sheria.

The group has argued that any restrictive measures imposed by Safaricom or the Kenyan regulators would be anti-competitive and limit access to faster, more affordable internet.

Ndegwa said he remains confident and that Safaricom “invests between $300 million and $350 million annually to expand Kenya’s telecommunications infrastructure. We’re not worried about competition—we’ll face it head-on.”