Airtel Africa has signed a strategic agreement with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across its 14 African markets, significantly expanding mobile coverage in remote and underserved regions. The partnership will allow Airtel Africa’s 174 million customers with compatible smartphones to access mobile network services even in areas without terrestrial coverage.
Under the agreement, Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology will initially support text messaging and limited data services for selected applications, with commercial rollout expected in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals in each country. The collaboration also includes support for Starlink’s first broadband Direct-to-Cell system, powered by next-generation satellites capable of delivering data speeds up to 20 times faster than earlier satellite platforms.
Airtel Africa becomes the first mobile network operator on the continent to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell services, leveraging a constellation of approximately 650 low-Earth-orbit satellites. The solution is designed to provide seamless connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach areas where deploying traditional mobile infrastructure is impractical or cost-prohibitive.
The initiative reinforces Airtel Africa’s long-term strategy to bridge the digital divide and deliver reliable, contiguous connectivity across Africa. Both Airtel Africa and SpaceX indicated that the partnership could expand further to support broader digital inclusion initiatives on the continent.
Commenting on the agreement, Airtel Africa Managing Director and CEO Sunil Taldar said the collaboration aligns with the company’s mission to improve service availability across its footprint, noting that satellite-to-mobile technology complements existing terrestrial networks. Starlink’s Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, added that the partnership marks a major step toward connecting communities previously beyond the reach of conventional mobile coverage.
