MTN Zambia Becomes First African Operator to Complete Starlink Direct to Cell Testing

MTN Zambia has become the first African mobile network operator to successfully complete field testing of Starlink’s Direct to Cell service, a technology that transforms low-Earth-orbit satellites into what SpaceX describes as cell towers in space. The announcement, made jointly by MTN Zambia and Starlink, is a significant step toward bridging the digital divide in one of the world’s most underconnected regions.

The tests involved the transmission of the first-ever satellite data session in Zambia using MTN’s spectrum in conjunction with Starlink’s satellite constellation, and, notably, the first fintech transaction conducted via satellite in the country. That transaction ran through MTN’s MoMo mobile money platform, further proof of the technology’s potential to extend financial services into areas where terrestrial infrastructure has never reached.

How It Works

Unlike traditional satellite internet, which requires specialist hardware, Starlink’s Direct to Cell service works with any existing LTE or 4G-compatible smartphone; no new device, app, or firmware update required. The Starlink satellites use advanced phased array antennas to communicate directly with handsets, linking seamlessly across the constellation via laser inter-satellite links to deliver coverage anywhere with a clear view of the sky.

For MTN Zambia, the practical implications are considerable. The service will enable voice, data and video access through supported applications, including WhatsApp calls, in remote areas currently beyond the reach of any ground-based network. This includes national game parks, rural farming communities, and areas bordering rivers or other water bodies where tower infrastructure is economically or logistically infeasible.

A Crowded Race for Africa’s Unconnected

MTN Zambia’s achievement is the latest in a series of efforts to transform Africa’s telecommunications landscape. In December 2025, rival operator Airtel Africa announced a continent-wide partnership with SpaceX to roll out Starlink Direct to Cell services across all 14 of its African markets, reaching a combined subscriber base of approximately 174 million customers. Airtel Africa’s service, however, is not expected to launch until 2026 and will begin with text messaging and limited data for select applications.

That distinction here is that MTN Zambia has moved from partnership to completed field testing first, and is targeting commercial service within weeks, pending regulatory approval from the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA).

The Fintech Dimension

Perhaps the most consequential aspect of the MTN Zambia milestone is its implications for mobile money. Zambia, like much of sub-Saharan Africa, has a significant unbanked population in rural areas, where mobile money platforms such as MoMo serve as a primary financial lifeline. Conducting the first satellite-based fintech transaction in the country signals that MTN’s MoMo App, and eventually a broader suite of financial services, could reach communities currently excluded from the digital economy.

MTN Zambia confirmed that at commercial launch, the service will support access to the MoMo App and the MyMTN App, as well as navigation and weather applications, with additional services to follow. The company acknowledged the support of Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science alongside ZICTA throughout the testing process.