US-based satellite connectivity startup Spacecoin has signed new agreements with local authorities and operators to roll out pilot projects in Africa, starting with Kenya and Nigeria. The trials aim to extend coverage into areas where traditional mobile and fibre networks remain patchy, too costly to deploy, or unavailable.
Kenya and Nigeria pilots target underserved areas
In Kenya, Spacecoin secured a transmission licence from the country’s Communications Authority, allowing the company to test satellite-based connectivity services and support Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring. The pilots will mainly target rural and peri-urban regions where internet access remains limited. Data from the Kenyan regulator shows mobile penetration above 130%, while internet penetration remains below 50% of the population, highlighting the gap between SIM ownership and meaningful online access. Spacecoin is also pushing ahead in Nigeria, where it continues operating under an existing licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The company said the authorisation supports its plans to deliver affordable broadband to communities that remain underserved, particularly outside major urban centres.
Spacecoin’s LEO and blockchain-based approach
Spacecoin’s model uses a decentralised satellite network built on nanosatellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The company combines this satellite layer with blockchain-based protocols, which it says can deliver more flexible and cost-effective connectivity than conventional network rollouts. The architecture also supports IoT applications, including smart agriculture services and infrastructure monitoring.
Digital divide focus and expansion beyond Africa
The Africa pilots support a broader push to narrow the continent’s digital access gap, where millions of people still struggle with unreliable connectivity. Satellite broadband increasingly complements terrestrial infrastructure, especially in regions where terrain, distance, and rollout costs slow expansion. Beyond Africa, Spacecoin is running pilots in parts of Asia, working with local partners to test its model across different regulatory and geographic environments. The company said growing interest from regulators signals stronger demand for solutions that can connect populations that have remained offline for years.
Read more about Satelites in Africa HERE
