(Ecofin Agency) – SpaceX acquired the operating licenses from the Nigerian Communications Commission for its subsidiary Starlink in May 2022. The company had originally planned to start providing operations in the country in August.
Starlink, the satellite internet network of billionaire Elon Musk’s American company SpaceX (pictured), will finally start commercial operations in Nigeria before the end of this year. This was disclosed by Isa Pantami, Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, on the sidelines of the US-Africa summit held from December 13 to 15 in Washington.
According to Mr. Pantami, SpaceX will still have to sort out some administrative processes before it can launch its high-speed internet services in Nigeria.
The launch of Starlink’s operations in Nigeria will take place seven months after Starlink has obtained the approval of the Nigerian authorities with the acquisition of two licenses valid for 10 years and 5 years respectively. The company began exploration into the Nigerian telecommunications market as early as May 2021 as part of its expansion into the African continent, where demand for broadband connectivity continues to accelerate. The company has also obtained operating licenses in Mozambique and Malawi.
Once its operations are launched, Starlink should be able to bring high-speed internet to all Nigerian populations, including those living in the most remote and inland areas. This will help achieve the government’s target of connecting 75% of the population to broadband by 2025 as part of its digital ambitions. Abuja has also signed a partnership agreement with SpaceX in this direction.
Isa Pantami says the company will have to “provide broadband access across Nigeria, enabling nationwide access to broadband connectivity well ahead of the December 2025 timeline as outlined in our National Broadband Plan. Thanks to this collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink, Nigeria should be the first African country to introduce this service“.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Also read:
27/07/2022 — Nigeria: Elon Musk’s company Starlink begins commercial operations in August
30/05/2022 — Nigeria allows Elon Musk’s Starlink company to provide internet services
.