Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has officially launched in Guinea-Bissau, marking its seventh operation in West Africa. This milestone follows the full regulatory approval granted by the National Regulatory Authority for Information and Communication Technologies (ARN-TIC) in April after initially being issued a provisional license in December 2024.
Guinea-Bissau faces significant internet connectivity challenges, with around 67.5% of its population currently offline and reliant on traditional internet service providers like Orange and Telecel. These providers often struggle with unreliable service due to infrastructure issues that depend on fibre lines running through Senegal and Guinea-Conakry, leading to frequent service interruptions.
Starlink aims to transform the internet landscape in Guinea-Bissau by offering a reliable alternative. The company will provide its Standard Kit for $400, with a monthly service plan available for $63. For customers who choose a 250 GB residential data plan, the monthly fee will be discounted to $31. A more budget-friendly Starlink Mini Kit will also be available for $205.
This launch is part of Starlink’s broader initiative to bridge Africa’s substantial digital divide. Despite being home to roughly 1.3 billion people, the continent has one of the lowest internet penetration rates globally, with only about 40% of its online population. Earlier this year, Starlink has acquired operational licenses in countries such as Somalia and Lesotho and is already active in Liberia and Niger. However, regulatory hurdles remain in certain areas, including South Africa, the continent’s most developed economy.
Starlink has expanded to serve over 2.6 million customers globally through a constellation of approximately 5,500 satellites deployed by SpaceX since 2019. The company aims to enhance connectivity in underserved regions worldwide.
