SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced on Sunday via X that the company’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is now operational in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As of 2023, only about 30% of Congo’s population had access to the internet, according to the International Telecommunication Union, showing the country’s deep connectivity challenges, especially in conflict-affected areas.
Authorities had previously blocked Starlink over national security concerns. In March 2024, the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority declared the service illegal, warning of penalties for unauthorized use.
Military officials feared Starlink could be exploited by armed groups, including the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, who have increased their presence in eastern Congo this year.
Starlink and African expansion
Since 2023, Starlink has expanded its footprint to at least 18 of Africa’s 54 countries, and the satellite internet provider is continuing its push across the continent. In 2025 alone, the company has launched operations in at least six African nations.
Starlink is also targeting neighbouring Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni recently revealed he had a productive meeting with company representatives regarding potential expansion.
Despite its aggressive rollout, Starlink has encountered regulatory hurdles in some markets. The service remains unavailable in South Africa, Africa’s most industrialized economy.
Elon Musk controversially claimed that Starlink is barred from operating there because he is “not Black”, a statement the South African government has firmly denied.
