Airtel Africa has entered into a partnership with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s satellite direct-to-cell mobile service across all 14 of its African markets, with deployment expected to begin in 2026.
The London-listed telecoms operator said the arrangement will enable Airtel customers using compatible smartphones to connect straight to Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellites whenever they move beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.
The first phase will focus on text messaging and limited data services for selected applications, with wider data functionality to follow as next-generation satellites are launched.
The agreement spans Airtel Africa’s entire operating footprint, covering Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Niger, Chad, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Seychelles.
Airtel Africa serves more than 170 million subscribers across sub-Saharan Africa. The company said the satellite-to-cell service is designed to complement existing terrestrial networks, helping to close coverage gaps in rural, remote and hard-to-access regions where building and maintaining mobile towers is often commercially unviable.
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As part of the deal, Airtel will embed Starlink’s direct-to-cell capability into its network, allowing ordinary smartphones to switch onto satellite connectivity without specialised equipment. SpaceX has positioned the technology as a means of delivering essential connectivity during network outages or in areas with minimal ground-based infrastructure.
