Chad has given the green light to Elon Musk’s Starlink to expand satellite internet services throughout the country, aiming to reduce the digital divide across this central African nation.
Key Developments:
Regulatory Milestone: Following discussions with Starlink since 2021, Chad’s Communications Minister, Boukar Michel, announced a breakthrough agreement. “We have managed to agree on the essentials,” Michel confirmed.
Current Connectivity Obstacles: As of 2022, only 12% of Chad’s population had internet access, according to the World Bank. Many areas, especially rural regions, lack fiber-optic infrastructure and remain largely disconnected.
Broader Vision: Michel emphasized Starlink’s potential to support Chad’s digital transformation, especially for public services in remote communities and the growth of local tech start-ups.
Starlink’s Expansion Across Africa:
With services already established in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and other African nations, Starlink has encountered regulatory challenges in some countries. For example, Cameroon seized Starlink equipment earlier this year due to licensing issues, and Kenya’s Safaricom has recently urged regulators to consider partnerships between satellite providers and local telecom networks.
Currently, Starlink operates in 17 African countries, with Chad now joining the list.
