Starlink Switches On Commercial Service in Côte d'Ivoire, Its 27th African Market

SpaceX activated Starlink commercial service in Côte d'Ivoire on July 16, 2026, becoming the satellite provider's 27th active African market. Telecom regulator ARTCI granted a local entity, Starlink Network CIV, a provisional 12-month licence to provide fixed high-speed satellite internet nationwide, following approval in June 2026. Residential plans start at roughly $50/month for speeds up to 100 Mbps, positioning Starlink as a new rural connectivity option alongside Côte d'Ivoire's 6,632 km national fibre backbone showcased at the June African Digital Week Forum in Abidjan.