Starlink has commenced operations in Chad following the completion of its licensing process, marking the company’s 24th African market. The launch was announced via Starlink’s official X account, highlighting the availability of its low-Earth orbit satellite internet service in a country where traditional infrastructure limits connectivity, especially in remote areas.
Chad granted Starlink an operating license in November 2023, enabling the rollout of high-speed internet aimed at overcoming significant access barriers. This expansion forms part of Starlink’s broader mission to tackle Africa’s low internet penetration, currently at just 40% of the continent’s 1.3 billion population—the lowest globally.
Starlink is already operational in several African countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Benin, South Sudan, Eswatini, and Sierra Leone. In 2025, it secured licenses and launched services in Somalia, Lesotho, Liberia, and Niger.
However, despite its rapid growth, Starlink faces regulatory challenges in some markets, notably South Africa, where licensing and compliance issues have delayed service availability in the continent’s largest economy.
