Telecommunications giant, Airtel Africa, has signed a landmark agreement with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services across the continent, in a major boost for digital inclusion and connectivity in underserved regions.

The strategic partnership will integrate Starlink’s advanced satellite technology into Airtel Africa’s infrastructure, expanding internet access to remote areas, including schools, healthcare facilities, and small businesses.

According to Airtel, SpaceX has already secured operating licenses in nine out of the 14 African countries where the telecoms operator is present. Licensing efforts for the remaining five countries are currently ongoing.

“This partnership with SpaceX is a significant step to demonstrate our continued commitment to advancing Africa’s digital economy through strategic investments and partnerships,” said Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar. “Next-generation satellite connectivity will ensure that every individual, business, and community have reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity—even in the most remote parts of Africa.”

For SpaceX, the partnership provides access to Airtel’s vast ground infrastructure across Africa, enabling Starlink to scale its presence and support broader digital transformation efforts on the continent.

“The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in Africa’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering across Africa makes great sense for our business,” a Starlink spokesperson said.

Starlink, which is already active in more than 20 African countries, sees this partnership as an opportunity to deepen collaboration with regional operators, further driving economic empowerment and reliable internet access.

The move reflects a growing trend among mobile network operators to partner with satellite internet providers—once seen as competitors—to expand their reach. In Nigeria and other markets, Starlink has been gaining traction at the expense of traditional internet service providers, prompting telcos to rethink their strategies.

Last year, MTN Group revealed ongoing engagements with multiple satellite providers, including Starlink. Enterprise-grade trials are already underway in Rwanda and Nigeria. MTN is also exploring direct-to-cell trials with Lynk Global in South Africa and Ghana, alongside discussions with AST SpaceMobile for trials in Nigeria and South Sudan, and a pilot project with Eutelsat OneWeb in South Africa.

As demand for internet access in Africa continues to grow, collaborations like the Airtel-SpaceX deal may prove vital in closing the digital divide and ensuring no community is left behind in the continent’s digital revolution.

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Airtel Africa has launched Telesonic, a wholesale fibre unit, aiming to reshape the landscape of Africa’s wholesale data market.

The company plans to leverage Telesonic’s assets, encompassing 75,000km of terrestrial fibre and submarine cable systems across 14 countries, acquired through investments like the 2Africa submarine cable system.

Airtel Africa’s commitment to fortifying its data infrastructure is evident through the recent investment in the 2Africa submarine cable system.

Concurrently, the launch of Nxtra, the data centre business, in December 2023, solidifies the company’s position in the data realm, with plans to establish one of the largest and high-capacity data centres.

Operating primarily in East, Central, and West Africa, Airtel Africa boasts a substantial customer base, including 151.2 million users, 62.7 million data subscribers, and 37.5 million mobile money users.

With a revenue projection of $5.76 billion in 2024, the company is poised to capture a significant share of the burgeoning African data market.

Airtel Africa’s strategic vision extends to opening a sizable Nxtra facility in Lagos, Nigeria, by 2025, designed for 34MW capacity and high-density racks.

Alongside this expansion, leadership changes are on the horizon, with Sunil Taldar set to assume the role of CEO as Segun Ogunsanya, the current CEO, plans to retire on July 1, 2024.

Highlighting its financial prowess, Airtel Africa announced a $100 million share buyback program in early February 2024, signifying confidence in its operating performance.

Simultaneously, as Ogunsanya steps down, he will remain the inaugural Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation, operating independently.

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To accomplish its strategic objectives and enter into further development stages, a leading telecommunications firm, Airtel Africa plc, has appointed Sunil Taldar as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The announcement came after the organisation stated that its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogunsanya, has been retired, adding that the retirement would take effect from July 1, 2024.

Speaking on the change of guard, Chairman of Airtel Africa plc, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, said Ogunsanya would assume a new role as Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation.

He added that the former CEO would deploy his visionary leadership to the philanthropic initiative to advance development across Africa

Mittal said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Segun Ogansanya for his commitment and significant contribution to Airtel Africa plc as Chief Executive and before that as Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria, our largest market in Africa.

“I am pleased Segun has agreed, following his retirement, to assume the new role as Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation, where he will bring his visionary leadership to this new philanthropic initiative to advance development and prosperity across Africa. Segun will retire from the Board with our very best wishes and sincere appreciation for everything he has achieved.

“The board is delighted to appoint Sunil Taldar as the group’s next CEO. His industry experience, strategic vision, constant customer focus and proven record of delivery will enable him to deliver our strategic objectives and to lead the group in the next stages of its development.

“In respect of the transition period, Segun continues to lead the business very effectively as seen in our financial results. Given that Sunil Taldar has already joined the group, we are confident that we will have an orderly leadership transition and handover of responsibilities.”

Also speaking, Ogunsanya said: “It has been a priviledge to spend over 12 years of my career at Airtel Africa and I am proud of what we have delivered for customers across Africa. We continue to transform lives. Now is the right time for me to hand over to a new leader who can build on Airtel Africa’s strengths and deliver on the significant opportunities ahead as I pursue my renewed interest in the empowerment of Africans through digital and financial inclusion in a different capacity beyond the boundaries of for-profit organizations. This has been my ambition after a successful career spanning over 35 years in banking, FMCG and telecommunications.”

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