Starlink gets green light to launch in Côte d’Ivoire

The green light has been given. Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk, is now officially authorized to operate in Côte d’Ivoire. The announcement was made on July 16 at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan by Frank R. Garcia, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs, during an official visit that also sealed several economic agreements.

Bridging the digital divide in rural areas

Starlink will leverage its low-orbit satellite technology to bring high-speed internet to rural and remote regions of Côte d’Ivoire, as confirmed by the Ivorian Press Agency. The local subsidiary had previously secured a provisional 12-month license from ARTCI, the country’s telecommunications regulatory authority, to initiate operations.

The arrival of this service is timely, as Côte d’Ivoire faces uneven internet penetration. While major cities like Abidjan and Bouaké enjoy robust fixed and 4G coverage, rural areas in the north and west lag behind. Starlink’s satellite constellation eliminates the need for extensive terrestrial infrastructure, offering a viable solution to connect underserved communities.

170 million USD investment in a sovereign data center

The approval of Starlink comes alongside a significant U.S. financial commitment to Côte d’Ivoire’s digital infrastructure. American company Cybastion has secured a $170 million funding guarantee from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to build the country’s first national sovereign data center, according to the Ivorian Press Agency.

Dubbed the Cybastion project, this initiative also includes the modernization of public services through digital transformation. The data center will host sensitive national data, reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s digital sovereignty—a critical priority for Abidjan’s leadership.

Three major agreements signed in one visit

The discussions at the U.S. Embassy led to the formalization of three distinct partnerships. In addition to Starlink and Cybastion, a $293 million agreement was reached with ABD Group to finance and develop priority infrastructure in healthcare and education.

A separate contract was signed with NTELX to streamline truck coordination at the Port of Abidjan, aiming to enhance port logistics—a vital artery for the Ivorian economy.

Côte d’Ivoire’s digital ambitions

Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa’s leading Francophone economy with over 29 million inhabitants, has set ambitious digital transformation goals. In recent years, the government has prioritized initiatives such as the digitization of administrative services and the expansion of e-government platforms.

Despite progress, internet access remains uneven. While urban centers enjoy reliable connectivity, rural regions face persistent connectivity gaps. Starlink’s entry could significantly narrow this divide, offering rural communities a lifeline to the digital economy.

The United States remains a key economic partner for Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. These new agreements further solidify technological cooperation between Washington and Abidjan.

Meeting with the Vice President

On the same day, Frank R. Garcia met with Ivorian Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné to review the economic partnership’s outcomes. The discussions underscored the potential long-term benefits of these collaborations for Côte d’Ivoire’s digital and economic future.

These developments unfold amid intensifying competition among global powers for influence in West Africa. While China, France, and the U.S. vie for infrastructure deals across the continent, Côte d’Ivoire is strategically leveraging partnerships to accelerate its development. The next milestones to watch include Starlink’s full deployment and the progress of the Cybastion data center project.