Airtel Africa has announced a strategic partnership with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite connectivity across all its 14 operating markets. This makes Airtel Africa the first mobile network operator (MNO) in Africa to integrate Starlink’s revolutionary satellite-to-mobile technology, potentially connecting millions in remote and underserved areas starting in 2026.
The agreement, revealed on December 16, 2025, will enable Airtel’s 174 million customers spanning countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, and others to access voice, text, and data services directly via Starlink satellites, even in regions lacking traditional terrestrial coverage. No special hardware required: the service works with existing compatible LTE/4G smartphones.
Initial rollout in 2026 will focus on text messaging and data for select applications, with future expansions supporting Starlink’s next-generation broadband D2C system promising up to 20x faster data speeds through advanced satellites.
This collaboration builds on earlier Airtel-SpaceX ties, such as the 2025 agreement to distribute standard Starlink kits (requiring dishes) in select markets. The new D2C service eliminates that barrier, turning ordinary smartphones into satellite-connected devices.
Sunil Taldar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, stated:
“Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering great experience to our customers by improving access to reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity solutions. Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements the terrestrial infrastructure and even reaches areas where deploying terrestrial network solutions are challenging. We are very excited about the collaboration with Starlink, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets.”
Stephanie Bednarek, Vice President of Sales at Starlink, added:
“For the first time, people across Africa will stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach, and we’re so thrilled that Starlink Direct to Cell can power this life-changing service. Through this agreement with Airtel Africa, we’ll also deliver our next-generation technology to offer high-speed broadband connectivity, which will offer faster access to many essential services.”
Both parties hinted at exploring further collaborations to deepen digital inclusion continent-wide.
Why it matters
Africa continues to grapple with one of the world’s widest digital divides, where vast rural and remote populations remain cut off from essential digital services. According to recent data:
- Urban internet usage stands at around 57%, while rural areas lag at just 23%—the largest urban-rural gap globally (ITU, 2025).
- Over 50% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lacks mobile broadband coverage, exacerbating inequalities in education, healthcare, finance, and economic opportunities.
- Hundreds of millions are offline, hindering progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals and limiting access to e-government, online learning, telemedicine, and mobile banking.
Traditional network expansion faces immense challenges: rugged terrain, low population density, high capex for towers, and vulnerability to vandalism or natural disasters. Satellite D2C technology bypasses these by turning the sky into a “cell tower network.”
This partnership directly tackles these pain points:
- Emergency and lifeline connectivity: In disaster-prone or conflict-affected regions, users stay linked for critical communications.
- Economic empowerment: Farmers in remote villages can access market prices, weather forecasts, and digital payments; small businesses gain online reach.
- Education and health: Remote learning and telehealth become viable, narrowing societal gaps.
- Financial inclusion: Builds on Airtel Money’s growth (45+ million users), enabling transactions anywhere.
As the first pan-African D2C rollout, it sets a precedent, potentially pressuring competitors and accelerating universal coverage. With Starlink’s constellation now exceeding 7,000-10,000 satellites (depending on latest deployments), the infrastructure is primed for scale.
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