Vodacom Group has entered into a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to integrate low-Earth orbit satellite technology into the very fabric of its African mobile network.
This continent-wide partnership, unveiled at the Africa Tech Festival 2025, represents a strategic answer to the immense challenge of bringing high-speed internet to remote and rural areas.
For Vodacom, whose customer base exceeds 200 million, the traditional approach of building infrastructure is often too costly in regions with difficult terrain and scattered populations.
This collaboration directly tackles that economic hurdle by turning to the skies, using Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites to provide the vital data backhaul that ground-based infrastructure cannot.
According to Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, the collaboration with Starlink accelerates the company’s mission to connect every African to the internet.
“Low Earth orbit satellite technology will help bridge the digital divide where traditional infrastructure is not feasible, and this partnership will unlock new possibilities for the unconnected,” he added.
The alliance will see Vodacom not only integrate Starlink’s technology to bolster its own network resilience and reach but will also act as an authorized reseller, distributing Starlink equipment and services to businesses across Africa.
This reseller model is particularly astute, allowing Starlink to tap into Vodacom’s vast enterprise relationships and existing licensing agreements to bypass complex regulatory landscapes, such as the one that has stalled its standalone launch in South Africa.
For African businesses, from agriculture and mining to retail and finance, this will translate into tailored, Africanized solutions like pay-as-you-go backup internet and device-as-a-service offerings, providing critical connectivity insurance and flexibility.
This venture is a monumental leap forward in closing the continent’s digital divide. It is a core component of Vodacom’s Vision 2030, which aims to connect hundreds of millions more users by creating a unified platform that marries fibre, mobile, and satellite.
On the other hand, for Starlink, which is operational in more than 20 African markets including Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia, the partnership offers a streamlined path to scale without the regulatory complexity of securing individual retail licences in each country.
“Starlink is already serving people, businesses, and organizations in 25 African countries. By collaborating with Vodacom, Starlink can deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity to even more customers, transforming lives and communities across the continent,” said Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Operations at SpaceX.
