Starlink granted operating license in Côte d’Ivoire to bridge digital divide

The green light is now official: Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, has been approved to launch operations in Côte d’Ivoire. Frank R. Garcia, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs, made the announcement during a high-level visit to Abidjan on July 16, alongside the signing of multiple economic agreements.

Satellite internet to reach rural and remote areas

According to the Ivorian Press Agency, Starlink will leverage low-orbit satellite technology to provide high-speed internet access to underserved regions across the country. The company had previously secured a provisional 12-month license from the Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI), as confirmed by local industry sources.

This move comes at a time when fixed broadband coverage remains uneven outside major urban centers like Abidjan and Bouaké. Starlink’s satellite constellation eliminates the need for extensive ground infrastructure, offering a practical solution to connect hard-to-reach communities.

170 million USD investment in a national data hub

Starlink’s approval coincides with a significant U.S. investment in Côte d’Ivoire’s digital infrastructure. Cybastion, a U.S.-based firm, has secured $170 million in financing guarantees from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to build the country’s first sovereign data center. The project, named Cybastion, aims to modernize public services and ensure sensitive data are securely hosted within Ivorian borders—a critical step for digital sovereignty.

The facility will also support the government’s broader digital transformation agenda, including e-governance initiatives and the modernization of administrative services.

Three major agreements signed in one visit

The U.S.-Ivorian meeting at the Abidjan Embassy led to the formalization of three key partnerships. In addition to Starlink and Cybastion, a $293 million deal was signed with ABD Group to finance and develop priority infrastructure in health and education sectors.

A separate contract was also finalized with NTELX to streamline truck coordination at the Port of Abidjan, enhancing port logistics—a vital artery for the Ivorian economy.

Côte d’Ivoire’s digital ambitions

As West Africa’s leading French-speaking economy with over 29 million people, Côte d’Ivoire has set ambitious goals for digital transformation. Recent years have seen a push toward e-government, administrative digitization, and expanded internet access. Yet disparities persist: while urban areas enjoy robust 4G and fiber coverage, rural regions in the north and west lag behind. Starlink’s entry could help narrow this digital gap.

The U.S. remains a key economic partner for Côte d’Ivoire, collaborating in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. These new agreements further strengthen technological ties between Washington and Abidjan.

High-level discussions with the Vice President

Frank R. Garcia also met with Ivorian Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné to assess the economic partnership’s impact and future potential. The discussions reflected Côte d’Ivoire’s strategy of diversifying international alliances to accelerate development—amid growing competition among global powers for influence in West Africa.

The next milestones will be the full operational launch of Starlink and the progress of the Cybastion data center project.