Zambia Becomes Sixth African Country to Receive Starlink’s High-Speed Internet Service
Zambia has officially become the sixth country to receive SpaceX’s Starlink internet service, providing high-speed broadband and uncapped service to even remote regions of the country via satellite. It is considered the world’s most advanced broadband satellite internet, marking an exciting step forward in Zambia’s journey to deliver internet access to more of its population.
Starlink satellite in orbit
Developed at Elon Musk’s pioneering SpaceX, Starlink has become the world's first and largest satellite constellation, using low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet that is capable of supporting optimal digital performance in business, streaming, online gaming, video calls and more. Through advanced satellites and user hardware combined with deep experience with spacecraft as well as on-orbit operations, Starlink promises to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world.
The news also comes as a major step forward for Zambia in delivering on its target of 80% of citizens having access to the internet by 2026.
More efficient broadband will allow for a greater use of digital technologies in the Zambian economy; reduce government transaction costs and the costs of business through digital optimisation; improve the adoption of digital solutions through empowering and enabling business services and entrepreneurship; and enhance digital systems and the transfer of data, improving sector-specific outcomes in secondary towns and rural areas.
Starlink also caters for the ability to offer internet connectivity to those in more remote areas. By using satellites to transmit data, Starlink does not have to rely on ground based infrastructure but can provide signal directly to schools, homes, and businesses in rural areas.
President Hakainde Hichilema opened talks directly with Starlink in 2022, as part of his government’s work to ensure all Zambians can have access to high quality and affordable internet. As a result, more Zambians will be connected across the world and able to participate in the ever-growing digital economy.
President Hichilema meeting with Starlink representatives
The launch of Starlink in Zambia further demonstrates how an engagement with external partners and the private sector can open up access to better services for its people. The government can be satisfied by achieving a landmark step forwards in the target set by its Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) – to deliver digital inclusion that can ensure 80% of Zambians have access to the internet by 2026.
This digital inclusion will also massively support the government’s goal to facilitate greater uptake of its flagship Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This fund provides capital to community projects, local infrastructure, and business at a constituency level and can be accessed via the internet. Under President Hichilema, the CDF has expanded to K27 million ($1.26 million) per constituency.
Furthermore, internet connectivity is paramount for tackling inequality. By allowing more citizens to have affordable and efficient internet connections, jobs and education will become more accessible, helping to reduce poverty.
President Hichilema’s pursuit of Starlink is vindicated by recent research, which shows that universal and affordable internet coverage can not only raise economic growth per capita by at least 2% annually, but also reduce the number of people experiencing poverty by 1%. Coupled with infrastructural investments in human capital, such as education or training, this could even rise to 5% and 2.5% respectively.
Starlink in Zambia
Starlink has already had a positive impact in other African countries. In May 2022 Musk announced Starlink’s entry into Africa, beginning with Nigeria and Mozambique. The service was already active in Nigeria by January 2023, with then President Buhari even boasting of the 100% broadband connection that Starlink provided.
Mozambique has since witnessed revelations in its telecommunications, as more people have been provided with access to the same level of services as those in more developed countries. The country’s quality of education has also increased drastically, with far easier access to online resources and educational softwares. Other long-term benefits of economic growth are sure to follow.