Starlink Hits 9 Million Global Users, Rises as Major ISP in Nigeria
SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has surpassed 9 million customers globally, underscoring the rapid growth in demand for satellite-based connectivity around the world.
The company announced the milestone in a post on X, noting that Starlink now provides internet services across 155 countries and territories. SpaceX founder Elon Musk hailed the achievement, describing Starlink as “rebuilding the whole Internet in space.”
The latest figures highlight a sharp rise in adoption. SpaceX first disclosed having 4.6 million Starlink users globally in December 2024. That number climbed to about 7 million by August 2025, rose further to 8 million in November 2025, and has now reached approximately 9 million customers—one of the fastest growth trajectories in the global broadband market.
Supporting this expansion, an Insider report citing data from Cloudflare revealed that global web traffic from Starlink users more than doubled in 2025, suggesting deeper reliance on the satellite network beyond headline subscriber numbers.
The global milestone comes amid Starlink’s rapid expansion in Nigeria, where it has emerged as a major player in the broadband market. By the third quarter of 2024, Starlink had become the second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country, a position it continues to maintain.
Although the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued Starlink’s ISP licence in May 2022, the service officially launched in Nigeria in January 2023. Its entry was widely welcomed due to its ability to deliver broadband internet to virtually any part of the country, regardless of terrain.
Industry data show that by Q3 2024, Starlink had recorded 65,564 customers in Nigeria, placing it behind only Spectranet, the country’s oldest ISP. Latest figures from the NCC indicate that Starlink maintained its second-place ranking as of Q2 2025, with its subscriber base increasing slightly to 66,523 customers.
Analysts attribute Starlink’s rapid uptake in Nigeria to persistent broadband infrastructure gaps, frequent power supply challenges, and growing demand from businesses, tech startups, and remote workers seeking more reliable internet connectivity.
Beyond connectivity, Starlink is increasingly central to SpaceX’s financial future. Elon Musk has described the satellite internet service as “by far” the company’s largest revenue driver, surpassing its rocket launch business in terms of recurring income.
Reports also suggest that SpaceX may be preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) as early as next year, with speculative valuations reaching as high as $1.5 trillion. Musk has previously hinted that Starlink itself could pursue a separate IPO in the future, potentially unlocking significant value for investors.
Starlink’s presence across Africa is also deepening, particularly with the rollout of its direct-to-cell service, which is widely viewed as a potential gamechanger in bridging connectivity gaps on the continent.
In a significant development, Airtel Africa recently signed a landmark agreement with SpaceX to deploy Starlink direct-to-cell services across several African countries, including Nigeria. The partnership is expected to further strengthen satellite connectivity and expand access to mobile and broadband services in underserved areas.
As Starlink continues its global expansion, its growing footprint in markets like Nigeria and across Africa signals a shifting landscape in how internet access is delivered worldwide.
