Today, Elon Musk's satellite internet service provider Starlink officially launched its services in the Central African Republic (CAR). This makes the CAR the 27th African country to access the satellite service and the second country in Africa where Starlink will launch by 2026.
The launch follows the approval of a license by the CAR authorities on December 18, 2025, marking the country's determination to bridge the digital divide.
Upon confirming the license approval, the Ministry of Digital Economy, Post, and Telecommunications stated that Starlink aims to expand nationwide coverage through its high-speed satellite solutions.
The launch of Starlink in the CAR will be crucial for enhancing connectivity in the country, especially in rural and remote areas where internet access is severely limited. It will also help address significant gaps in ground infrastructure and promote the development of its digital economy.
On a positive note, between early 2024 and early 2025, the number of mobile connections in the country increased by 182,000 (9.6%), indicating a growing demand for internet access.
Starlink's goal is to expand internet coverage and help citizens access quality network services for digital payments, business operations, and social media interactions.
However, the service will face competition from major mobile network operators such as Telecel and Orange, all of which are vying to expand their 4G networks.
Starlink aims to stand out in this competition through its low Earth orbit satellite network. Its connectivity capabilities can provide quality internet services to rural and remote areas that are difficult to serve through traditional telecom infrastructure or during network outages.
What are the costs?
Although Starlink has not yet announced its pricing strategy for the CAR, it may adopt a fee structure similar to that of neighboring Chad. In Chad, monthly subscription fees range from $32 (CFA 18,000) to $56 (CFA 32,000), while equipment costs range from $205 (CFA 117,000) to $403 (CFA 228,000), depending on the model.
At the same time, Starlink will face affordability issues in this country, which is considered one of the least developed economies in the world.