JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Telecommunications giant Vodacom Group has inked a strategic partnership with Starlink, the world’s largest satellite broadband provider, to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet across Africa, targeting businesses, remote schools, and underserved communities.
Announced on Wednesday, November 12, the collaboration marks a major milestone in efforts to bridge the continent’s digital divide, combining Vodacom’s extensive terrestrial network with Starlink’s satellite technology to extend reliable connectivity to even the most remote regions.
Under the deal, Starlink’s satellite backhaul will be integrated into Vodacom’s mobile network to enhance performance and expand rural coverage.
The partnership will also enable Vodacom to resell Starlink’s equipment and services to enterprise and small business customers across Africa, with localized pricing models to suit regional market dynamics.
Vodacom said the partnership will strengthen its service portfolio with new offerings tailored to diverse sectors — including mining, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, retail, and financial services.
These products will feature innovations such as pay-as-you-use backup internet, unbreakable connectivity, and branch network pooling solutions for enterprises.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Starlink, a move that accelerates our mission to connect every African to the internet,” said Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group CEO. “Low Earth orbit satellite technology will help bridge the digital divide where traditional infrastructure is not feasible, unlocking new possibilities for the unconnected.”
Vodacom currently operates a mix of 4G, 5G, fiber, microwave, and GEO satellite infrastructure across its markets in Africa. Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) technology is expected to complement these assets by offering faster deployment in areas where traditional networks are costly or impossible to build.
The partnership aligns with Vodacom’s Vision 2030, which aims to expand its customer base to 260 million users and grow its financial services footprint to 120 million customers within the next five years.
The group said the deal positions it closer to achieving universal coverage, supporting education, healthcare, and digital innovation across the continent.
Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Operations at SpaceX, hailed the agreement as a step forward for Africa’s connectivity revolution.
“Starlink is already serving people, businesses, and organizations in 25 African countries. By collaborating with Vodacom, we can deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity to even more customers, transforming lives and communities across the continent,” Gibbs said.
The Vodacom-Starlink alliance is expected to reshape Africa’s telecommunications landscape by merging satellite and mobile network capabilities, potentially setting a new standard for cross-platform connectivity.
