Elon Musk’s Starlink Secures 10-Year License in Lesotho, Expands Services Throughout Africa
Elon Musk’s satellite broadband firm, Starlink, is continuing its sensational rollout throughout Africa, the latest milestone being a 10-year operating licence granted by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA).
This comes just days after the service was officially launched in Somalia, further solidifying the presence of Starlink throughout the continent.
The Lesotho Communications Authority confirmed that Starlink has been granted a ten-year license to offer satellite-based broadband services throughout the mountainous, landlocked nation. The initiative is set to revolutionize internet access in Lesotho, where rural and hard-to-reach towns have traditionally experienced poor connectivity.
This is the first time a satellite internet provider has been granted such an extensive license in Lesotho, and it is a major shift in Lesotho’s digital development policy. The LCA referred to the agreement as a huge boost to national connectivity, digital inclusion, and economic growth.
“The deal with Starlink will help bridge the digital divide and propel our vision for technological development,” the LCA stated.
Starlink, on the other hand, began services in Somalia on April 13, 2025.
Elon Musk made the announcement on social media platform X, signaling the conclusion of more than two years of negotiations with Somali authorities.
The Ministry of Telecommunications in Somalia confirmed that Starlink has been granted an operating license and that the service will supplement current infrastructure and bring internet connectivity to remote and unserved regions.
This is a historical moment for Somalia,” Mustafa Yasiin, Director of Communication at the ministry, stated. “We believe Starlink’s entry will revolutionize rural connectivity and improve the quality of internet services in the country.”.
With its recent forays into Lesotho and Somalia, Starlink now has operations in over 20 countries across Africa. The company has emerged as a game-changer in internet penetration in the continent, particularly in regions that lack traditional fiber or mobile broadband services or have unreliable ones.
Starlink relies on a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed, low-latency internet service that often surpasses traditional infrastructure in terms of both reach and speed. This especially positions it as a good fit for remote villages, schools, hospitals, and rural businesses.
Although Starlink’s rapid expansion across the continent of Africa is widely embraced, it is not without challenges. There remain concerns regarding the affordability of the service to low-income consumers, regulatory challenges in certain countries, and the need for supporting infrastructure like power and local support services.
However, digital specialists and policymakers view Starlink’s arrival as a giant step towards bridging the digital divide on the continent.
Today, as of April 2025, Starlink is present in countries like Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Ghana, and now Lesotho and Somalia—with more launches coming later this year.
Starlink’s entry into Africa aligns with global efforts to link the unconnected and enable greater access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity via strong internet connectivity. With each new license and launch, Starlink brings its vision of a more digitally connected Africa one step closer.
