With only around 30% of the population having internet access as of 2023, the DRC remains one of the least connected countries in the region. Starlink’s entry could be transformative, offering high-speed, low-latency internet to remote and underserved areas where traditional infrastructure has failed to reach—especially in a country grappling with vast geographical and security challenges.
Until recently, the Congolese government had been resistant to Starlink's operations. Military officials had expressed concerns that the satellite network could be exploited by rebel groups, notably the Rwandan-backed M23 movement, which has expanded its control in the country’s volatile eastern provinces this year. In March 2024, the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC) had gone as far as to ban Starlink, warning of sanctions against unauthorized use.
However, the same regulatory body announced the policy turnaround on Friday, confirming Starlink’s licensing and imminent rollout. While no details were given about the terms of the agreement or what led to the shift, the development signals a broader openness to leveraging advanced technologies to address the country's connectivity deficit.
Starlink’s expansion in Africa continues to gain momentum, with Somalia and Lesotho granting operating licences just last month. The company is also in talks to enter Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni recently described a meeting with Starlink officials as “productive.”
As Starlink positions itself as a leading internet provider across Africa, the DRC’s decision could serve as a key precedent in balancing national security concerns with the urgent need for digital inclusion.