Faith Nyasuguta
Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has officially gone live in Guinea-Bissau, marking its seventh launch in West Africa and its 22nd entry across the African continent. The launch is expected to greatly enhance digital access in Guinea-Bissau and accelerate momentum in Africa’s growing tech transformation.
The country’s National Regulatory Authority for Information and Communication Technologies (ARN-TIC) granted Starlink a provisional license in December 2024. This was followed by full regulatory approval in April 2025, clearing the way for the service’s official launch. Starlink is now finalizing local administrative steps and expects a full-scale rollout across Guinea-Bissau in the coming weeks.
Internet access in Guinea-Bissau remains critically low, with less than 33% of the population currently online. The nation has long depended on just two main providers, Orange and Telecel, who rely on fiber infrastructure routed through Senegal and Guinea-Conakry. But that system is prone to frequent breakdowns and high costs, especially in rural regions. With Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellite constellation, Guinea-Bissau now has the potential for more stable, high-speed internet even in the most remote areas.
Starlink will offer its standard satellite internet kit at a one-time cost of $400, while its monthly subscription plan is priced at $63. For users opting for a capped 250 GB data plan, the monthly cost drops to $31. In a bid to further increase accessibility, the company is also introducing a more affordable “Mini Kit” at $205.
The launch is part of Starlink’s broader mission to expand its footprint across Africa. In just the past year, the company has obtained licenses to operate in Somalia, Lesotho, Niger, and Liberia. Yet, some countries still present regulatory challenges, most notably South Africa, where strict local ownership requirements have blocked entry.
Globally, Starlink now serves over six million customers and operates a constellation of more than 5,500 satellites deployed by SpaceX since 2019. It aims to be a game-changer for the estimated 60% of Africans who remain offline due to poor infrastructure and high connectivity costs.
For Guinea-Bissau, the service is being seen as a turning point. Authorities describe the move as a “milestone in national digital development,” with the potential to improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity through greater connectivity.
As the country begins its Starlink era, the hope is that the sky is no longer the limit – it’s just the beginning.
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