Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet service, has officially launched in Eswatini, making it the 8th African country to access the service.
After applying for a licence in March 2023 and meeting regulatory requirements, Starlink received the green light in June. Using low earth orbit technology, Starlink brings broadband internet to both urban and remote areas, supporting activities like streaming, online gaming, and video calls.
In a recent announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Starlink revealed its presence in Eswatini, making it the 8th country and 10th market in Africa to offer the service. The basic “Residential” package costs R1,070 (~$58) per month, with additional charges of R12,450 (~$670) for the standard rectangular antenna.
ESwatini, with a population of just over 1.2 million, has more than 710,000 internet users. However, the high poverty rates in the country may impact Starlink’s accessibility as a premium service. According to the World Bank, over 55% of the population in Eswatini lives on less than $3.65 a day.
Starlink is already present in other African countries like Mozambique, Rwanda, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Nigeria. In Zimbabwe and Botswana, regulatory authorities are currently reviewing Starlink’s application for an operating licence.
Despite expanding in southern Africa, Starlink faces regulatory challenges in its potentially largest market, South Africa.
The country has imposed a ban on the importation and usage of Starlink, demanding that the South Africa subsidiary allocate 30% ownership to historically disadvantaged groups—a requirement the company is resisting.
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