Elon Musk’s Starlink wins Congo license after earlier ban

Key Points

• Congo has approved Elon Musk’s Starlink service, reversing a prior ban driven by national security concerns tied to ongoing rebel activity in the country’s eastern region.
• Starlink is set to launch in days, offering satellite internet in hard-to-reach areas where traditional infrastructure remains weak or disrupted by conflict and poor geography.
• The move marks another step in Starlink’s rapid African expansion, with five countries granting licenses in 2025 and talks underway with Uganda’s government.

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has received regulatory approval to begin operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reversing a March ban over national security concerns and marking another milestone in its bid to expand internet access across Africa.

The licensing is expected to enable Starlink’s rollout within days. Authorities say the system could serve as a digital lifeline, improving access to education, healthcare, and commerce in underserved regions where traditional internet services are unreliable or absent.

Starlink secures approval amid security concerns

The approval, announced Friday by Congo’s Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, allows the low-Earth orbit internet provider to begin service in one of Africa’s least connected countries. Just 30 percent of Congo’s population had internet access as of 2023, according to the International Telecommunication Union.

Congo had previously barred Starlink amid military warnings that the network could be exploited by rebel groups, notably the Rwandan-backed M23 militia. The group has intensified attacks in the country’s east and now controls more territory than at any time in over a decade.

Despite the unrest, officials say Starlink’s infrastructure-light model—delivering high-speed internet via satellites rather than cables or towers—makes it well-suited for isolated and conflict-prone areas.

Starlink’s momentum across Africa

Elon Musk, the world’s richest person with a $336 billion fortune, has positioned Starlink to serve regions with limited internet access. Now active on every continent, the service sees Africa as a key growth frontier.

Congo’s approval accelerates Starlink’s African rollout. In just four months of 2025, it secured licenses in Liberia, Niger, Somalia, Guinea-Bissau, and Lesotho—which granted a 10-year permit tied to broader U.S. cooperation. 

Talks are also underway with Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni confirmed meetings with Starlink executives. Progress remains uneven. In South Africa, regulatory delays continue to stall the launch despite strong demand. Still, Congo’s greenlight expands Starlink’s footprint, advancing its mission to connect remote communities where traditional networks fail.