May 13, 2025

Why are so many countries saying yes to Starlink?

Listen Later

18 minutes

The number of African countries now allowing Elon Musk’s company Starlink to provide internet services has been growing rapidly - six have granted permission in 2025 alone. And there are reports that Uganda might be next.

Starlink can be cheaper than some traditional internet providers and has been seen as a way to provide internet access to communities that are hard to reach.

But does it come at a cost to governments who might have less control over internet access? And what does it mean for local economies if a big, international company has access to the market?

Alan Kasujja speaks to Temidayo Oniosun; a Nigerian space scientist, and Juliet Nanfuka, a digital rights activist and member of the African Digital Rights Network.

...more

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Africa Daily

By BBC World Service

4.8

168168 ratings

May 13, 2025

Why are so many countries saying yes to Starlink?

Listen Later

18 minutes

The number of African countries now allowing Elon Musk’s company Starlink to provide internet services has been growing rapidly - six have granted permission in 2025 alone. And there are reports that Uganda might be next.

Starlink can be cheaper than some traditional internet providers and has been seen as a way to provide internet access to communities that are hard to reach.

But does it come at a cost to governments who might have less control over internet access? And what does it mean for local economies if a big, international company has access to the market?

Alan Kasujja speaks to Temidayo Oniosun; a Nigerian space scientist, and Juliet Nanfuka, a digital rights activist and member of the African Digital Rights Network.

...more