Airtel Africa Launches Africa’s First Satellite-to-Mobile Service in DRC with Starlink

Airtel Africa has switched on Africa’s first commercial satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a major milestone in the continent’s push to close its connectivity gap. The launch, unveiled in Kinshasa on August 14, 2026, is the result of a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink and represents the first time the service has moved from pilot to full commercial deployment anywhere in Africa.

What the service does

Customers with compatible smartphones can now connect directly to Starlink’s satellite network in areas with no terrestrial mobile coverage, as long as they have a clear view of the sky. No special equipment or separate satellite device is required. The service currently supports light-data applications, including WhatsApp messaging and SMS, delivered through Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile constellation of 650 launched satellites, the largest of its kind in the world.

To access the service, users need a compatible LTE Android smartphone and an active Airtel DRC data bundle or data roaming enabled. Eligible customers can register through the MyAirtel App and receive a free 30-day introductory trial.

Building on a regional pilot

The DRC launch follows the strategic partnership Airtel Africa and Starlink announced in December 2025, and builds on a successful pilot of Starlink Mobile’s data and messaging services in Kenya in March 2026. The DRC is now the first of Airtel Africa’s markets to commercialise the service. CEO Sunil Taldar said the DRC is “leading this important development,” with the experience gained there set to support a progressive expansion of the service across Airtel Africa’s other markets, though any wider rollout will depend on country-specific regulatory approvals. Support for Apple devices is also expected to be added in the future.

Airtel DRC managing director Thierry Diasnova noted that the country’s size and geography make it economically difficult for operators to deploy terrestrial infrastructure in remote areas, and said the satellite layer helps keep customers reachable even where terrestrial coverage doesn’t reach.

The CEO’s words

Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, shared his reflections on the launch in a personal LinkedIn post

“In many parts of Africa, people live, work and travel beyond the reach of conventional mobile infrastructure. Now, for the first time ever in the continent, our customers with compatible smartphones in the Democratic Republic of Congo can continue to access connectivity in non-terrestrial areas wherever they can see the sky, without requiring specialised equipment or a separate device to use the service.

This follows our partnership with Starlink to deploy Africa’s first-ever satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The service enables light-data apps, including WhatsApp messaging, as well as SMS on Starlink, the world’s largest satellite-to-mobile constellation with 650 launched satellites.

This is a huge milestone for us at Airtel Africa on our mission to transform lives in the continent by bridging the digital divide. Besides boosting Africa’s digital transformation agenda, this service is particularly valuable in remote areas, for transport and logistics operators, humanitarian organisations, health workers, farmers, and mining operations. It will also support access to essential communications during emergencies, natural disasters and temporary terrestrial network disruptions.

We are proud to be part of this practical innovation built around our customers’ real needs. Innovation is in our DNA, and we are committed to tapping into emerging technologies to deliver trailblazing solutions.”

Why it matters

Beyond the headline milestone, Airtel Africa is positioning the service as infrastructure for people and sectors that terrestrial networks have historically struggled to reach: transport and logistics operators, humanitarian organisations, health workers, farmers, and mining operations. The company also points to its value during emergencies: natural disasters or temporary network outages, when conventional coverage can disappear just when it’s needed most.

With the DRC deployment live, the real test now shifts to execution: how quickly Airtel Africa can replicate the model across its other markets as regulatory approvals come through, and how meaningfully satellite-to-mobile connectivity narrows Africa’s digital divide beyond the initial rollout.