The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has formally granted a telecommunications licence to Starlink, the satellite internet division of Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX, reversing a regulatory ban enacted in 2024. The decision paves the way for the launch of Starlink’s services in the Central African nation within days, according to an announcement by the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority on Friday, 2 May 2025.
The DRC, which continues to grapple with security instability—particularly in its eastern regions—has long faced serious deficits in digital infrastructure. As of 2023, internet penetration in the country remained limited to approximately 30% of the population, based on data from the International Telecommunication Union. In this context, the introduction of low-orbit satellite broadband by Starlink is poised to significantly alter the digital landscape, potentially enabling broader access in underserved and rural areas.
The regulatory approval marks a significant policy reversal. In March 2024, the Congolese authorities had prohibited the use of Starlink’s equipment, warning that the unregulated deployment of the technology could assist non-state actors, including the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group. The insurgents have seen a resurgence, occupying substantial territory in North Kivu, leading to heightened regional tensions.
While the security concerns remain unresolved, the government’s decision to authorise Starlink signals a strategic recalibration, balancing national security considerations with pressing developmental needs. No further comment has been issued by the telecommunications authority regarding the rationale behind the policy shift.
Starlink’s expansion into the DRC follows its recent entry into Somalia and Lesotho, continuing its rapid foray into African markets. The satellite operator is now active in more than a dozen countries on the continent, leveraging its constellation of low-earth orbit satellites to deliver broadband in regions lacking terrestrial fibre-optic networks.
Neighbouring Uganda is also exploring Starlink’s potential integration. President Yoweri Museveni announced on Tuesday that he had a “productive meeting” with representatives from the company, though formal regulatory developments are still pending.
As internet access becomes increasingly central to national development and economic inclusion strategies, the DRC’s embrace of satellite connectivity could signal a turning point in its long-standing infrastructural challenges. Nevertheless, observers will be closely watching how the technology is deployed in conflict-sensitive areas and how it aligns with national and regional cybersecurity frameworks.
