Vodacom Group has announced an agreement with Starlink, the world’s largest satellite broadband provider, to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to millions of businesses and rural communities across Africa. The partnership marks a decisive step toward bridging the continent’s digital divide and fostering inclusive economic growth, innovation, and education.
By integrating Starlink’s satellite backhaul into Vodacom’s existing mobile network, the collaboration will significantly accelerate network coverage expansion, particularly in underserved and remote areas. The initiative aims to strengthen connectivity for rural schools, health centers, and communities empowering millions with access to essential digital services and information.
Empowering Enterprises and SMEs
Vodacom will also become an authorized reseller of Starlink equipment and services to enterprise and small business customers across Africa. This arrangement will allow Vodacom to tailor localized value propositions that reflect the affordability and operational needs of African markets helping businesses stay connected and competitive in the digital economy.
Industry-Specific Solutions
Responding to the diverse connectivity demands of sectors such as mining, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, retail, and financial services, Vodacom has developed a suite of innovative products that combine terrestrial and satellite technologies. These include pay-as-you-use backup internet, 100% unbreakable internet, device-as-a-service, and branch network pooling solutions designed to ensure reliability and flexibility for enterprises operating in challenging environments.
Complementing Vodacom’s Network Strength
Vodacom already delivers market-leading 4G, 5G, fiber, MPLS, microwave, and GEO satellite coverage across its markets. The integration of Starlink’s high-performance internet adds a powerful new layer to its portfolio enhancing service quality and ensuring connectivity resilience, even in hard-to-reach regions.
This collaboration reinforces Vodacom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to grow its customer base to 260 million and its financial services users to 120 million within five years. By leveraging Starlink’s constellation of low Earth orbit satellites as a complementary technology, Vodacom moves closer to achieving universal coverage and advancing its mission of connecting people to a better future.
Shameel Joosub, Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom Group, emphasized the partnership’s potential:
“We are delighted to collaborate with Starlink, a move that accelerates our 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.”
Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Operations at SpaceX, echoed this optimism
“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.”
