Satellite internet provider Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially resumed internet services in Lagos and several other African cities, months after suspending new user activations due to capacity issues and regulatory delays.
In November 2024, Starlink halted new orders in Nigeria, citing infrastructure limitations and pending approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The pause left over 60,000 subscribers in limbo across the country and more than 100,000 across Africa, especially in high-demand cities like Lagos, Abuja, Warri, Nairobi, Lusaka, and Accra.
The suspension came amid surging demand for reliable internet in underserved rural and urban-fringe communities, where Starlink had quickly gained popularity as a viable alternative to unstable terrestrial networks.
Now, after major infrastructure upgrades, Starlink has resumed activations across Nigeria, starting with Lagos and Abuja.
> “We have officially resumed activations for customers nationwide,” the company confirmed. “This marks a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and transforming connectivity across the country.”
In addition to Nigeria, Starlink has lifted restrictions in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, allowing new residential subscribers to sign up once again.
Meanwhile, Starlink had previously increased its monthly subscription fees in Nigeria, effective immediately for new customers and from January 27, 2025, for existing users.
The resumption of services is expected to ease pressure on Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and expand access to high-speed satellite internet in both urban and remote areas.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
