The Congolese authorities have officially authorised the satellite internet service Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, to operate on its territory. The Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications (ARPTC) said on X (formerly Twitter) that Starlink DRC S.A. would be launching its services “in the next few days”.
The American operator is entering a market of 115 million inhabitants, where the mobile internet penetration rate was 31% at the end of 2023 (latest ARPTC figures).
“Further to the press release of 15 March 2025, the Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications du Congo (ARPTC) informs the public that a telecommunications network and services licence has been awarded to Starlink DRC S.A., a company incorporated under Congolese law, in accordance with current telecommunications and ICT regulations”, ARPTC announced in a press release sent to M&B Magazine.
“Starlink is now authorised to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo as an internet service provider, following the regularisation of its administrative situation. It will be launching its services in the next few days”, confirms the regulatory authority.
The DRC, which had previously blocked Starlink due to security concerns (conflict against Rwandan-backed rebels in the east), thus joins Somalia and Lesotho, which granted licences in April.
M&B