Democratic Republic of Congo Approves Starlink Operations

Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service has been granted a license to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reversing a previous ban and marking another step in its rapid expansion across Africa. Starlink's entry into the DRC addresses the country's significant connectivity challenges, as only about 30% of the population had internet access as of 2023. The service had initially faced resistance from Congolese authorities due to concerns it might be exploited by rebel groups, particularly in conflict-affected regions. With the new license, Starlink DRC S.A. will soon begin providing services to the nation's 115 million people. The company continues to broaden its footprint across Africa, having launched operations in over a dozen countries, and is actively exploring entry into neighboring markets such as Uganda. Despite regulatory hurdles in some nations, Starlink's expansion is seen as a significant development for improving internet access on the continent.