The green light has been given. Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, is now authorized to operate in Côte d’Ivoire. The announcement came on July 16 at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, delivered by Frank R. Garcia, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, during an official visit that included multiple economic agreements.
Bridging the digital divide in rural areas
Starlink will leverage low-orbit satellite technology to extend internet access to rural and remote regions of the country, as confirmed by the Ivorian Press Agency. The local subsidiary had secured a provisional 12-month license from ARTCI, Côte d’Ivoire’s telecommunications regulator.
This initiative arrives at a critical time, as fixed internet coverage remains concentrated in urban centers like Abidjan and Bouaké. Starlink’s satellite constellation promises high-speed connectivity without the need for extensive ground infrastructure, making it ideal for underserved areas.
170 million USD investment in a sovereign data center
The approval of Starlink coincides with a major U.S. financial commitment to Côte d’Ivoire’s digital infrastructure. American firm Cybastion has secured a $170 million financing guarantee from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to build the country’s first sovereign national data center.
Named Cybastion, this project will also modernize public services by digitalizing administrative processes. As Côte d’Ivoire’s first data center designed to host sensitive national data, it represents a significant step toward digital sovereignty for Abidjan.
Three key partnerships signed during the visit
During the meeting at the U.S. Embassy, three separate agreements were formalized. In addition to Starlink and Cybastion, a $293 million deal was struck with ABD Group to fund and develop priority infrastructure in healthcare and education.
A third contract was signed with NTELX to optimize truck coordination at the Port of Abidjan, aiming to enhance logistics efficiency—critical for the nation’s economic hub.
Côte d’Ivoire’s digital ambitions
Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa’s leading Francophone economy with over 29 million people, has set ambitious digital transformation goals. Recent years have seen initiatives like the digitization of government services and the expansion of e-government platforms.
However, internet penetration remains uneven. While urban areas enjoy robust fiber and 4G coverage, rural regions in the north and west lag behind. Starlink’s entry could help bridge this gap, ensuring more equitable access.
The United States remains a key economic partner for Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. These new agreements further strengthen technological collaboration between the two nations.
Meeting with the Vice President
On the same day, Frank R. Garcia met with Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice President, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, to assess the economic partnership’s impact on bilateral relations.
These developments unfold amid growing competition among global powers—China, France, and the U.S.—to expand influence in West Africa. For Abidjan, diversifying partnerships offers leverage for negotiation and development. The next milestones to watch are the official launch of Starlink and the progress of the Cybastion data center.
