Vodacom partners with Starlink to boost internet access across 25 African countries, excluding South Africa

Vodacom Group Ltd. announced a major partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to bring high-speed satellite internet to its African markets, in a move expected to revolutionize connectivity across the continent.

Vodacom, Safaricom’s majority shareholder, plans to expand broadband access across Africa by integrating satellite backhaul into its network.

The deal targets rural connectivity and aligns with Vodacom’s 2030 plan to reach 260 million mobile and 120 million financial-service users across its African markets.

Despite Vodacom’s footprint of over 223 million customers, rural Atrica remains a tough frontier.

Sparse populations, difficult terrain, and low smartphone penetration make traditional tower rollouts costly.

The African company, majority owned by Britain’s Vodafone, has been seeking to close connectivity gaps across the continent through low-earth orbit satellite technology which can help provide internet even in tough terrains.

Vodacom will integrate Starlink’s satellite technology for data relay into its mobile network and will be authorised to resell equipment and services from the SpaceX-owned firm to customers in Africa, the company said in a statement.

“We continue dealing with multiple satellite providers, including Starlink, where Starlink has been licensed, including AST SpaceMobile as well as Amazon Kuiper,” CEO Shameel Joosub said after Vodacom’s interim results on Monday.

Vodacom’s bigger Africa rival MTN Group is also exploring partnerships with satellite providers, while parent Vodafone has teamed up with Amazon’s LEO satellite constellation Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile.

However, South Africa, Vodacom’s home base remains excluded from the rollout due to ongoing regulatory barriers.

The collaboration will see Vodacom integrate Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite network into its infrastructure to boost coverage and performance in remote areas where traditional mobile networks are difficult or costly to deploy.

Vodacom will also become an authorized reseller of Starlink services to businesses and enterprises, offering solutions such as backup connectivity and “unbreakable” internet for critical operations.

Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said the deal aligns with the company’s Vision 2030 strategy to expand its customer base and bridge Africa’s digital divide.

“Low Earth orbit satellite technology will help connect every African to the internet, especially in areas where traditional infrastructure is not feasible,” he said.

While Starlink operates in about 25 African countries, including new markets in Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau and Somalia, South Africa remains off the list due to Black Economic Empowerment laws requiring 30% local ownership for telecom license holders.

Elon Musk has criticized the rules as “racist ownership laws,” though the country’s regulator, ICASA, insists Starlink has not applied for a license.

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi recently confirmed that government is reviewing thousands of public submissions on a policy proposal that could allow satellite firms to comply through social investment programs rather than direct equity transfer.

“We are prioritizing it, you cannot sit on submissions,” Malatsi said.

The deal highlights both the promise and the complexity of expanding digital access across Africa.

As Vodacom and Starlink move ahead in other markets, South Africa’s regulatory impasse leaves it watching from the sidelines, even as its neighbors move closer to universal internet coverage.