Starlink Resumes Nationwide Availability in Nigeria After Eight-Month Freeze
Just days after reopening new subscriptions in key African markets, including Kenya, Zambia, and parts of Nigeria, Starlink has resumed sign-ups in Lagos and Abuja, two of its highest-demand locations in the country. This development marks the full nationwide availability of the service in Nigeria, which currently holds the highest number of Starlink subscribers in Africa. Other major cities, such as Kano, Port Harcourt, and Warri, have also seen a return of new sign-ups, following an eight-month pause prompted by infrastructure limitations amid rising demand.
The suspension is reported to have impacted more than 60,000 existing subscribers, many of whom were notified that their activations were pending regulatory approval. Following recent upgrades to its network infrastructure, the satellite service provider has now resumed operations in major Nigerian cities. Recent company statements confirmed the nationwide resumption of activations, noting that Lagos, Abuja, and other high-demand regions are at the forefront of the renewed rollout.
In response to the renewed availability of Starlink services, Konga, Starlink’s largest retail partner in Nigeria, welcomed the development and announced free nationwide delivery for all customers. The company confirmed that whether orders are placed online or in physical outlets across cities such as Asaba, Port Harcourt, Ikeja, Uyo, Owerri, Ibadan, Abuja, Warri, Kano, Enugu, or Onitsha, Starlink kits will be delivered at no additional cost.
Broader Availability Across Major African Markets
Recent developments indicate that Starlink has resumed subscription renewals in key African cities, including Accra, Ghana; Nairobi and its surrounding areas in Kenya; and Lusaka, Zambia. However, availability remains limited in Harare, Zimbabwe, despite activations having resumed in other parts of the country. The situation in Harare points to notably high demand, with the capital reportedly exhausting its allocated capacity shortly after launching in Q4 2024 and remaining on a waitlist pending network expansion. This suggests that, for many users in Harare, Starlink may offer one of the few reliable and comparatively affordable alternatives to existing internet services, particularly in a market where traditional providers often struggle with inconsistent speeds and limited rural reach.
For a closer look at the constraints shaping Starlink’s rollout in Africa and the prospects for its continued growth, read the full article here.