17 December 2025
Starlink has officially activated its satellite internet service in São Tomé and Príncipe, a significant milestone for one of Africa’s most geographically isolated countries.
The activation was announced through coordinated posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with the company facilitating immediate purchase, installation, and onboarding processes for the island nation off Central Africa’s coast. This development positions São Tomé and Príncipe alongside a growing roster of African countries gaining access to SpaceX’s low-Earth-orbit satellite internet system.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and the entrepreneur behind Tesla and X, amplified the news on his social platform yesterday. Sharing an updated coverage map of Starlink across Africa, Musk wrote, “Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in São Tomé and Príncipe.”
This launch follows an active period of growth for Starlink in Africa over the past year. During this time, the satellite provider secured regulatory approvals and launched services in several countries including Somalia, Chad, Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau, and the Republic of Congo. With more than 20 African nations now connected, Starlink continues to expand despite facing licensing challenges in some key markets such as South Africa.
For São Tomé and Príncipe, a small island nation with a population of approximately 240,000, Starlink’s arrival offers a transformative opportunity. Historically dependent on submarine cables and unreliable terrestrial networks, the country has seen limited investment in infrastructure upgrades. While the hardware costs for Starlink remain relatively high for many households, the service is expected to appeal to government agencies, tourism operators, financial institutions, and wealthier residents, mirroring adoption trends observed elsewhere in Africa.
For a nation grappling with geographic isolation and a significant digital divide, Starlink’s entry provides a rare chance for direct-to-home, high-speed broadband connectivity without the need for extensive new cables or towers. This development could greatly accelerate digital inclusion and economic activity in São Tomé and Príncipe, opening new avenues for communication, commerce, and development.
