JAKARTA SpaceX owner Elon Musk confirmed that Starlink services are now available in Congo. People in Central Africa can legally subscribe and use Starlink.
"Starlink is available in Congo," Musk wrote on his personal X account on Sunday, May 4 evening. The Starlink sales license was also disclosed by the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 2, 2025, lifting the ban previously in effect.
Before being granted access to sell Starlink, the Congo government banned the sale of the satellite internet. Local military officials also supported the ban on the grounds of protecting national security.
Congo is being hit by war and connectivity in the country is very bad. According to the International Telecommunications Union, as quoted by Reuters, only 30 percent of the population will use the internet by 2023.
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Most likely, the number has not increased significantly to date so satellite internet services are urgently needed. However, military officials fear this satellite internet service will be used by insurgent groups such as M23.
Therefore, the Congolese Post and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority decided to ban Starlink in March. Anyone who buys or uses Starlink will be deemed to have violated the provisions and may be subject to sanctions.
It is not known what deals were reached by the governments of Congo and Starlink. However, authorities in the country stated that they, "will continue the launch of the (Starlink) service in the coming days."
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