Starlink gains approval in Côte d’Ivoire to bridge digital divide

Authorisation has been granted. Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, can now operate in Côte d’Ivoire. The announcement was made on July 16 at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan by Frank R. Garcia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, during an official visit that concluded multiple economic agreements.

Expanding rural internet access through satellite technology

The service will leverage low-orbit satellite internet to connect remote and underserved areas of the country, as confirmed by the Ivorian Press Agency. The local subsidiary had previously secured a 12-month provisional license from ARTCI, Côte d’Ivoire’s telecommunications regulator.

This move comes at a time when fixed internet coverage remains uneven, particularly outside major urban centers like Abidjan and Bouaké. Unlike traditional broadband, Starlink’s satellite constellation delivers high-speed connectivity without the need for extensive ground infrastructure.

170 million USD investment in national data sovereignty

The green light for Starlink coincides with a major U.S. financial commitment to Côte d’Ivoire’s digital infrastructure. Cybastion, an American firm, has secured $170 million in export financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to build the country’s first sovereign national data center.

Named Cybastion, this project also includes plans to modernize and digitize public services across Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative marks a critical step toward data sovereignty for Abidjan, ensuring sensitive national data remains hosted within national borders.

Three key agreements finalized in Abidjan

The discussions at the U.S. Embassy led to three distinct partnerships. Beyond Starlink and Cybastion, a $293 million agreement was signed with ABD Group to fund and develop priority infrastructure in health and education sectors.

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

Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation ambitions

With over 29 million inhabitants, Côte d’Ivoire stands as West Africa’s leading Francophone economy. In recent years, the government has prioritized digital transformation, including the digitization of administrative services and the expansion of e-government initiatives.

While urban areas enjoy robust internet penetration through fiber and 4G, rural regions—particularly in the north and west—lag behind. Starlink’s satellite service could significantly narrow this digital gap.

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

Meeting with the Vice President

Later that day, Frank R. Garcia met with Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice President, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, to assess the economic partnership’s impact and future prospects.

The developments unfold amid growing competition among global powers vying for influence in West Africa. With China, France, and the U.S. all expanding infrastructure agreements on the continent, Abidjan continues to diversify its partnerships as a strategic lever for development. The next milestones will be the operational launch of Starlink and the progress of the Cybastion data center project.