Ghana is considering granting SpaceX’s Starlink approval to provide internet connectivity within the country, according to the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu Ekuful, during a recent parliamentary meeting.
This reconsideration comes after the National Communication Authority’s (NCA) warning on 7th December 2023, which prevented the sale and operation of Starlink devices due to the provider’s failure to obtain necessary licenses and approvals. However, in light of a recent internet outage affecting many African countries, including Ghana, the government is reevaluating its stance.
The outage, caused by damages to subsea cables, impacted mobile network operators, internet service providers, and subscribers, prompting concerns over connectivity reliability. With a projected five-week repair period, the government is exploring options to mitigate the impact, including considering additional internet service providers.
During the parliamentary meeting, the communication minister informed members that Starlink is undergoing the licensing process, indicating a potential shift in regulatory approach.
Starlink, meanwhile, has indicated that its services in Ghana would initially target high-end customers upon launch, according to reports from government officials.
Additionally, the Minister Owusu-Ekuful encouraged other internet providers to enter the Ghanaian market and suggested exploring partnerships with RASCOM, an organisation which aims to expand telecommunications services across Africa.
Starlink has updated its website’s availability map, indicating plans to launch in Ghana in Q3 2024.
Despite being banned in countries like Zimbabwe and Botswana, Starlink has already established operations in several African nations, including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zambia. In Zimbabwe, authorities have threatened to arrest individuals and businesses engaging with Starlink, citing the lack of proper licensing. Botswana’s regulatory authority has also banned Starlink for similar reasons.
