The Democratic Republic of Congo has authorised Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate in the country, reversing a previous ban.
The satellite internet company, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is expanding rapidly across Africa and already operates in more than a dozen nations.
In April, both Somalia and Lesotho granted Starlink operating licences, marking a growing continental embrace of satellite-based connectivity.
Congo’s decision comes amid widespread connectivity challenges, with only 30% of the population having internet access in 2023, according to the International Telecommunication Union.
The government had initially opposed Starlink’s presence, with military officials fearing it could aid rebel groups such as the Rwandan-backed M23.
In March 2024, the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority declared Starlink illegal and warned of sanctions for violators.
But in a sharp policy turn on Friday, the same authority announced Starlink had received a licence and would launch operations “in the coming days.”
No official explanation accompanied the reversal, and requests for comment from the authority went unanswered.
The move signals a potential shift in balancing national security concerns with digital development goals in one of Africa’s most unstable regions.
Starlink is also eyeing expansion in Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni met with company representatives earlier this week.
As Congo embraces satellite technology, questions remain about how such infrastructure will shape both opportunity and conflict in a fragile state.