Starlink expands into Ivory Coast to bridge rural connectivity gap

Starlink has officially launched commercial operations in Ivory Coast, bringing high-speed satellite internet to the country. SpaceX’s innovative service received a 12-month provisional license from the Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC (ARTCI) on July 16, 2026, enabling fixed satellite internet access nationwide using Ka and V frequency bands. Customers can now order terminals directly through starlink.com/cotedivoire.

The announcement was made on June 11, 2026, by Djibril Ouattara, Ivory Coast’s Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation. The license permits Starlink to operate across the entire national territory while allowing regulators to assess service quality and compliance before considering long-term approval.

Tackling the digital divide in remote areas

Ivory Coast’s government is prioritizing rural communities, schools, and isolated health centers—regions where traditional fixed and mobile networks remain unreliable or entirely absent. The initiative aims to shrink the digital gap that persists despite growing urban connectivity.

This regulatory approval follows a September 2025 decision by the ARTCI Council, which granted Starlink a 12-month provisional license to evaluate performance and adherence to local standards. The temporary framework ensures controlled market entry while protecting local operators from sudden competition.

Ivory Coast joins Africa’s fast-growing Starlink network

Ivory Coast becomes the 27th African nation to adopt Starlink’s satellite constellation, joining a rapid expansion wave that began in 2023 with deployments in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Mozambique. The move reflects a continent-wide push to deliver high-speed internet in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is prohibitively expensive.

Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites promise high bandwidth and minimal latency, making it an ideal solution for bridging connectivity gaps in sparsely populated or geographically challenging regions.

5G launch coincides with Starlink’s arrival

The introduction of Starlink aligns with Ivory Coast’s simultaneous rollout of 5G, highlighting the government’s commitment to modernizing telecom infrastructure. While urban centers benefit from multiple mobile operators, rural areas remain critically underserved.

With a population of 33.5 million and a land area of 322,000 km², Ivory Coast faces stark geographic disparities between the developed south and the underdeveloped north. Fixed internet penetration remains low, creating an opportunity for satellite-based solutions to fill the void.

Regulatory oversight ensures balanced market integration

The 12-month trial period allows ARTCI to monitor Starlink’s compliance with local regulations and assess its impact on the telecom ecosystem. Minister Ouattara confirmed that license renewal would depend on performance and adherence to commitments, mirroring approaches taken in other African markets.

The provisional license serves a dual purpose: ensuring service reliability while safeguarding local operators from unfair competition. Over the coming months, Starlink’s ability to meet rural coverage targets and maintain affordable pricing will determine whether the license is extended.