Since March 16, 2026, Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, has been officially available in the Central African Republic. A landmark agreement signed in Bangui on December 18, 2025, paved the way for this long-awaited deployment in a region where internet access remains limited.
Starlink's deployment relies on a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, providing high-speed internet even in the most remote areas, without the need for terrestrial infrastructure. This technology is particularly relevant for the Central African Republic, where only 15.5% of the population, approximately 839,000 people, used the internet at the beginning of 2025. Furthermore, in 2023, 4G mobile coverage only reached 0.3% of the population.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra emphasized the importance of this initiative during the signing of the agreement: "This technology could promote the development of distance education, telemedicine and improve access to information". The aim is to digitally connect entire regions of the country.
Central African authorities acknowledge that Starlink's success will also depend on strengthening energy infrastructure and a stable regulatory framework. Access to reliable electricity is essential to ensure the service's operation.
Starlink is now operational in the Central African Republic, marking a significant step forward for a country where internet access was limited to a small portion of the population. This initiative is part of Starlink's expansion in Africa, with 27 African countries now benefiting from the service. The arrival of Starlink in Central Africa represents a potential digital revolution, offering new opportunities for education, health, and economic development.
