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| Sunil Taldar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa. |
First satellite-to-mobile service set to connect millions across the continent
Dubai, 16 December 2025 — Airtel Africa has announced a landmark agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across all its 14 African markets, serving more than 174 million customers. The partnership will enable Airtel Africa customers with compatible smartphones to access mobile connectivity in regions without terrestrial network coverage, marking a major milestone in Africa’s digital inclusion journey.
Through this collaboration, Airtel Africa becomes the first mobile network operator in Africa to offer Starlink Direct-to-Cell services, leveraging a constellation of over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver seamless connectivity to underserved and remote areas.
Satellite-to-Mobile Services Begin in 2026
The satellite-to-mobile service is expected to commence in 2026, initially supporting text messaging and data for select applications. The agreement also includes support for Starlink’s next-generation broadband Direct-to-Cell system, which will deliver up to 20 times faster data speeds through advanced satellites designed to connect directly with standard LTE smartphones.
The rollout will be implemented progressively, subject to country-specific regulatory approvals across Airtel Africa’s operating markets.
Bridging the Digital Divide
This strategic partnership reinforces Airtel Africa’s long-standing commitment to bridging the digital divide by extending reliable and contiguous connectivity to communities where deploying traditional network infrastructure is difficult or economically unviable.
Beyond initial services, Airtel Africa and Starlink will continue to explore additional collaboration opportunitiesaimed at accelerating digital inclusion and expanding access to essential digital services across the continent.
Leadership Perspectives
Commenting on the partnership, Sunil Taldar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, said:
“Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering a great experience to our customers by improving access to reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity solutions. Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements terrestrial infrastructure and reaches areas where deploying traditional network solutions is challenging. We are very excited about this collaboration, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets.”
Stephanie Bednarek, Vice President of Sales at Starlink, added:
“For the first time, people across Africa will stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach. We are thrilled that Starlink Direct-to-Cell can power this life-changing service. Through our agreement with Airtel Africa, we will also deliver next-generation technology to offer high-speed broadband connectivity, enabling faster access to essential services.”
About Airtel Africa
Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, operating in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The company offers mobile voice and data services, as well as mobile money solutions, to 174 million customers. Airtel Africa’s strategy is focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences while advancing digital and financial inclusion to transform lives across Africa.
For more information, visit www.airtel.africa or follow Airtel Africa on LinkedIn.
About Starlink Direct-to-Cell
Starlink Direct-to-Cell is the world’s largest and only satellite constellation delivering data, voice, video and messagingdirectly to standard LTE devices in mobile dead zones. With more than 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, the service connects over 11 million customers across five continents. Acting as a “cell tower in space,” Starlink Direct-to-Cell integrates seamlessly with mobile networks, enabling coverage wherever users can see the sky.
Learn more at Starlink’s official channels and follow @Starlink on X.
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