Zimbabwe’s telecom regulator has granted approval for Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate in the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Saturday. This move allows the satellite unit of SpaceX to begin operations in the southern African nation.
President Mnangagwa stated that the introduction of Starlink “is expected to result in the deployment of high speed, low cost, LEO (low-Earth-orbit) internet infrastructure throughout Zimbabwe and particularly in all the rural areas.” Starlink’s services will be provided exclusively through its local partner, IMC Communications.
According to a 2021 World Bank report, only 34.8% of Zimbabwe’s population had internet access. Currently, the country’s internet services are dominated by three major mobile network operators. The approval of Starlink comes at a time when the government is cracking down on unregistered users smuggling Starlink kits from neighboring countries like Zambia.
Starlink is officially available in various African nations, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and Malawi. Recently, Cameroon ordered the seizure of Starlink equipment at the country’s ports of entry due to the provider not being licensed there.