Elon Musk confirms that Starlink has received a license to operate in Somalia, expanding internet access in a country where connectivity remains limited.
 |
| Elon Musk reveals Starlink’s launch in Somalia, marking a significant step forward in connecting underserved regions through satellite internet. Image: CH |
Mogadishu, Somalia – April 15, 2025:
Elon Musk has announced that Starlink, his satellite-based internet service, has officially received regulatory approval to operate in Somalia. The announcement was made via Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) account, where he declared, “Starlink now in Somalia!” though he did not elaborate further.
The license approval marks a significant milestone for Somalia, a country where internet penetration hovers around 30 percent, according to World Bank data from 2022. Somalia’s internet connectivity has long been hampered by inadequate infrastructure and recurring disruptions caused by conflict and instability.
State media outlet Sonna confirmed the development, stating, “Today is another historic day for Somalia’s communications and technology sectors; today we have issued here and provided Starlink, one of the major satellite telecommunications and internet services companies, the license to operate in Somalia.”
Starlink, operated by Musk’s company SpaceX, provides high-speed broadband internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It has proven particularly effective in delivering service to remote and underserved regions worldwide.
The approval is expected to bring significant improvements to digital access in Somalia, supporting everything from education and health care to commerce and governance in areas where conventional infrastructure is lacking.
Somalia joins a growing list of countries adopting Starlink’s satellite technology as part of efforts to bridge the global digital divide.