Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has officially announced its entry into the Somali market, aiming to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity. Launched globally in late 2020, Starlink targets areas underserved by traditional internet providers, offering solutions where access is unavailable, unreliable, or prohibitively expensive.
While Starlink has expanded its presence to over 20 African nations, its arrival in Somalia places it in a uniquely competitive landscape, challenging established local providers who have made significant strides in connecting the country.
The approval process for Starlink’s entry into Somalia has come under fire for a severe lack of transparency and ethical oversight, reflecting significant governance failures. Critics argue that the licensing, seemingly rushed and controlled by a select few, bypassed essential due process, including meaningful public and stakeholder consultations, thus denying citizens and businesses a voice.
Awarded without necessary regulatory adjustments or clear terms and conditions, the opaque deal raises serious concerns about accountability and the protection of Somalia’s public interest. It serves as a stark warning against hasty, unchecked decisions in critical infrastructure sectors.
A Market Already Moving Fast
Unlike many markets Starlink targets, Somalia boasts a relatively developed and competitive internet sector. In early 2024, some of Somalia’s telecom companies unveiled their commercial 5G networks, instantly making next-generation technology available across extensive infrastructure.
Even before 5G, service providers estimated that roughly 50% of Somalia’s urban population had access to 4G, with over 60% using 3G—both considered broadband-level services in the region. This progress builds on historical advancements: Somalia launched fiber optic services in early 2014, significantly boosting access. This followed a crucial 2013 deal in which Liquid Telecom expanded its vast terrestrial fiber network, reducing reliance on expensive satellite links that had been necessary due to conflict.
Somalia’s internet infrastructure has proven resilient and progressive. The country launched 4G LTE services in 2017, ahead of its more stable neighbor, Djibouti. Furthermore, Somalia recently adopted its National IPv6 Strategy, becoming the first African nation with a dedicated national center for developing and implementing the next-generation internet protocol.
Current data underscores this progress:
- Internet Penetration: 55.2% (10.7 million users) at the start of 2025.
- Mobile Connections: 11.3 million active cellular connections (58.3% of the population), though not all necessarily include internet access.
- Download Speeds: Median fixed internet download speed is 18.76 Mbps (Ookla data), notably higher than the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 12.11 Mbps.
- Social Media: 3.05 million social media users (15.8% of the population) as of January 2025.
Sector’s Dominance and Community Ties
Starlink faces formidable competitors in Somalia’s internet sector, which serves over 11.3 million subscribers, most of whom use popular mobile money services. This deep integration into daily life, extending beyond basic internet service, presents a significant challenge for a newcomer.
Crucially, local providers have earned trust by maintaining connectivity for Somalis, enabling communication with family members both domestically and abroad, even amid security challenges and conflict.
Starlink’s Hurdles: Competition, Regulation, and Politics
While Starlink often appeals to users in countries with internet shutdowns or heavy government control, Somalia has largely maintained internet independence and unrestricted access. This freedom has fueled a growing digital creative economy, widespread streaming, and robust online news consumption, potentially reducing the unique appeal Starlink holds elsewhere.
Furthermore, Starlink has faced regulatory roadblocks in other African nations. Service was cut in Cameroon in April 2024 due to licensing issues, and the company has reportedly been blocked from approval in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, South Africa, and Senegal.
Concerns have also been raised about the nature of Starlink’s entry into Somalia, with suggestions that allies of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud may be involved in the deal. This mirrors patterns seen elsewhere, such as in Zimbabwe, where a license was granted after an exclusive partnership with a company owned by a presidential associate, and in Kenya, where local ownership requirements were waived following a deal with President William Ruto.
Affordability Comparison: Local ISPs versus Starlink
Local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) generally offer both mobile and fixed broadband options, with prices varying significantly based on region and service quality. For example, basic mobile data plans usually range from $5 to $20 per month, delivering between 1 and 5 GB of data.
In contrast, Starlink requires an upfront equipment purchase of about $599 USD, plus a monthly subscription fee around $110 USD. Given their lower initial and ongoing costs, local providers tend to be more accessible for most users in urban areas. For routine internet use in cities where reliable local service is available, local ISPs remain the more affordable choice.
While Starlink offers a potential new option for connectivity, particularly in areas still underserved by terrestrial networks, it enters a dynamic Somali market. It must contend with strong, technologically advanced incumbents, navigate a relatively open and free internet environment, and address potential political scrutiny surrounding its market entry. Success will depend on its ability to carve out a niche amid deeply entrenched local competition.