Starlink is adding another African nation to its coverage map. Côte d'Ivoire's telecom regulator, ARTCI, has officially authorized SpaceX's satellite internet service to operate in the country, with commercial services set to begin in July 2026. The announcement was made on June 11 by Djibril Ouattara, the country's Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation.
The authorization was formalized through an arrêté (regulatory order) signed on July 15, 2025, granting STARLINK NETWORK CIV a provisional 12-month license to establish and operate a public electronic communications network using fixed satellite internet access across the country. A definitive license will follow once the provisional period concludes, with the final fee structure adjusted based on generated revenues to maintain competitive balance with existing local operators.
The deployment is specifically aimed at closing connectivity gaps in rural areas, where traditional broadband infrastructure remains sparse. According to verified regulatory filings, Starlink is authorized to operate across multiple radio frequency bands — including Ka-band and V-band spectrum — and is required to use software-defined radio systems that allow ARTCI to remotely monitor signals and temporarily disable specific frequencies if needed. Internet penetration in Côte d'Ivoire stood at approximately 40.7% at the end of 2025, leaving a substantial portion of the population underserved by existing providers.
West Africa continues to be a priority expansion zone for Starlink as SpaceX works to build out its global footprint. Côte d'Ivoire joins a growing list of African nations where the service is either live or in the regulatory pipeline — a trend that positions Starlink as a meaningful infrastructure player on the continent well before traditional broadband rollouts can reach remote communities. For more on SpaceX's broader expansion efforts, see our SpaceX coverage.
Sources & reporting notes
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- @SawyerMerritt on X (2026-06-11T19:50:11.000Z) — Direct source
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