Starlink Acquires ISP License in Somalia to Boost Internet Connectivity Across the Country

SpaceX’s Starlink has officially acquired an ISP license in Somalia, marking a major milestone for internet connectivity in the country. The announcement was made on April 13, 2025, during a ceremony in Mogadishu, attended by Somali government officials and Starlink representatives. Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, confirmed the development on social media platform X, celebrating this step toward bridging Somalia’s digital divide.

Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) granted the license after more than two years of discussions. Mustafa Yasin Sheik, Director General of the NCA, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating that Starlink’s entry will help address Somalia’s long-standing connectivity challenges. The move aligns with the government’s vision to provide affordable and accessible internet services to all Somalis, regardless of their location.

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This news is a big deal for Somalia. The country has been working with Starlink for years to make this happen. In May 2023, Somali officials met with Starlink representatives to discuss how they could bring better internet to the country. Now, after a lot of hard work, Starlink has finally secured the necessary license to operate.

Somalia’s Minister of Communications and Technology, Mohamed Adan Moalin, is excited about what this means for his country. He believes that Starlink will help ensure all Somalis have access to affordable and reliable internet, no matter where they live. This aligns with the government’s long-term vision to improve digital connectivity.

Starlink Acquires ISP License in Somalia at a time when the country really needs it. Somalia has undersea cables that bring internet to some areas, but these cables often don’t reach rural communities. Starlink’s satellite technology can bypass traditional infrastructure, providing high-speed internet directly from space. This means people in remote areas can finally get online and access important services like education and healthcare.

The approval of Starlink ISP License in Somalia is part of a broader trend in Africa. Other countries like Niger and Liberia have also recently allowed Starlink to operate. This shows how important satellite internet is becoming for connecting people across the continent. Africa has one of the lowest rates of internet access globally, with only about 40% of its population online. Initiatives like Starlink could help change this.

Starlink gets an ISP License in Somalia, which is great news for many reasons. Better internet can help businesses grow by connecting them to global markets. It can also support online learning, which is especially important in areas where schools are scarce. In rural Somalia, where even basic phone signals are hard to find, Starlink could make a huge difference by enabling services like telemedicine and digital banking.

However, there are concerns about how affordable Starlink will be for many Somalis. The monthly plans cost between $80 and $120, which is a lot for people in a country where the average annual income is less than $500. There’s hope that Starlink might offer subsidies or cheaper plans to make its services more accessible.

Globally, Starlink has faced some challenges when trying to enter new markets. In South Africa, for example, there have been disputes over ownership requirements that have delayed its launch. But Somalia’s decision to welcome Starlink shows a commitment to improving connectivity, even in the face of challenges.

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For many Somalis, reliable internet could be life-changing. It could help entrepreneurs connect with customers worldwide, support students accessing online resources, and even enable people to receive medical care remotely. As Starlink prepares to roll out its services, there’s excitement about what the future holds for Somalia’s digital landscape.

While there are still questions about when exactly Starlink will start operating in Somalia and how it will address affordability, one thing is clear: this is a significant step forward for the country. It signals a new era of digital inclusion and modernization, which could have a profound impact on Somalia’s economy and its people.

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