President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe announced on Saturday that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite business is now able to operate in the country of southern Africa thanks to a telecom regulator’s approval.
High-speed, reasonably priced LEO (low-Earth orbit) internet infrastructure “is expected to be deployed throughout Zimbabwe and particularly in all the rural areas,” according to a statement released by Mnangagwa following the decision.
According to him, IMC Communications will be Starlink’s only and exclusive local partner for service delivery. According to a 2021 World Bank estimate, just 34.8% of Zimbabweans had internet connection.
The country’s internet service is dominated by three major mobile network operators. The Starlink approval comes amid a government crackdown on unregistered users smuggling Starlink kits from neighbouring countries like Zambia.
Starlink is currently officially offered in various African nations, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and Malawi.
Last month, Cameroon ordered the seizure of Starlink equipment at the country’s ports of entry as the provider was not licensed.
