Kenya’s leading telecom operator Safaricom is set to expand high-speed internet to remote areas through a new partnership between its parent company Vodacom and Elon Musk-owned Starlink.
The deal, announced on 12 November at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, will see Vodacom use Starlink satellites to strengthen mobile network coverage across Africa, with major benefits expected in Kenya where millions still lack reliable broadband.
From opposition to partnership
Only months ago, Safaricom openly opposed Starlink operating independently in Kenya.
In July 2024, the company wrote to the Communications Authority of Kenya urging regulators to force satellite providers to work only as backhaul partners for established mobile operators rather than compete directly with consumers.
Starlink entered the Kenyan market in July 2023 and quickly gained users in rural areas with its affordable kits, priced as low as KSh39,000 and monthly unlimited plans starting at KSh6,500.
By late 2024, Safaricom chief executive Peter Ndegwa signalled a change of approach. In a Bloomberg interview, he said partnership with satellite providers was inevitable and confirmed ongoing talks with Starlink.
Those discussions have now delivered results at Vodacom group level.
How the deal will work
Vodacom, and therefore Safaricom in Kenya and Ethiopia, will use Starlink low-Earth orbit satellites as backhaul to connect remote mobile towers where fibre or microwave links are too costly.
Vodacom will also become an authorised reseller of Starlink equipment and services, starting with business and enterprise customers. Packages include pay-as-you-go backup internet, unbreakable connectivity options and pooled data plans tailored for mining, agriculture, tourism, retail and financial services.
In Kenya, where close to 40% of people live in rural areas with poor broadband, the partnership promises real change. Health centres will send patient records instantly, schools will access online learning and farmers will check market prices without travelling long distances.
Closing the digital gap
Kenya leads Africa in mobile money through Safaricom M-Pesa and has strong 4G coverage in towns, but rural broadband remains limited. Fixed broadband subscribers stood at 1.86 million in early 2025.
Starlink satellites, orbiting just 550 km above Earth, deliver speeds above 100 Mbps with low latency – far better than older geostationary systems.
Vodacom Group chief executive Shameel Joosub said the tie-up supports the company’s goal to connect every African to the internet. “Low Earth orbit satellite technology will help bridge the digital divide where traditional infrastructure is not feasible,” he said.
Starlink vice president Chad Gibbs added that the partnership will bring reliable high-speed internet to more customers and transform communities across the continent.
The agreement fits Vodacom Vision 2030 target of 260 million mobile customers and 120 million financial services users by 2030. In Kenya, Safaricom already serves more than 45 million people.
What comes next
Consumer rollout plans and pricing are still unclear, though Vodacom says packages will be adjusted for local affordability. Questions remain about how bundled services will compare with direct Starlink offers and how regulators will respond.
Across Africa, the deal shows large operators are now working with new satellite players rather than fighting them. Rival MTN is exploring similar partnerships.
For Kenyans in remote northern areas or coastal villages, faster and more reliable internet could open doors to online business, education and healthcare.
