Starlink has become more affordable than the leading internet providers in certain African countries

In at least five of the 16 African countries where Starlink is available, its monthly subscription costs less than the leading fixed internet provider.

Launched in 2019 by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Starlink has quickly become the world’s leading satellite internet provider. Available in over 100 countries, it offers a relatively affordable solution for users in regions with limited internet options. In parts of Africa, for instance, Starlink is often the most cost-effective way to access the internet.

A Rest of World analysis reveals that in at least five of the 16 African countries where Starlink is available, its monthly subscription costs less than the leading fixed internet service provider. However, this doesn’t include the upfront cost of Starlink hardware, which varies by location—from $178 for a Starlink Mini in Kenya to $381 for a Standard Actuated kit in Nigeria.

To identify the leading fixed internet providers, Rest of World relied on reports from each country’s communications authority and gathered the lowest prices from the providers’ websites. Prices were converted to U.S. dollars for consistent comparison.

Starlink’s pricing is not fixed; it adjusts periodically based on market conditions. As stated on its website: “Starlink may adjust prices over time to reflect market conditions resulting in a decrease or increase of the monthly service plan cost.” SpaceX did not respond to Rest of World’s request for comment.

For this analysis, Rest of World compared Starlink’s residential service prices with the cheapest unlimited fixed internet plans from leading providers as of January 9, 2025.

Starlink’s pricing in Africa varies significantly, ranging from $10 per month in Kenya to $50 in Eswatini. In most African countries, the cheapest Starlink plans fall between $28 and $34 per month.

Since its launch in Kenya in July 2023, Starlink has disrupted the traditional internet service provider industry with its high-speed connectivity, extensive availability in remote areas, and significantly lower prices. The company has also introduced a rental option to make its services more accessible.

According to the Communications Authority of Kenya, as of June 2024, Starlink has gained over 8,000 subscribers in the country, making it the tenth most popular internet service provider. While legacy telecom giants like Safaricom and Jamii still dominate the market with 546,000 and 360,000 subscribers respectively, the Africa-focused tech publication TechCabal reports that Starlink’s adoption in Kenya is growing rapidly. See Wi-FI enabled Pizza Oven.

In response to Starlink’s entry, competitors like Safaricom have reduced prices and increased internet speeds. Additionally, many providers are exploring satellite internet options of their own. For instance, Vodacom, Safaricom’s parent company, recently partnered with satellite network AST SpaceMobile to deliver satellite internet across Europe and Africa. Notably, AST SpaceMobile launched its first satellites with support from SpaceX, showcasing the evolving competition in the satellite internet space.