Abu Dhabi-based Space42 is making moves to broaden its presence across Africa, aiming to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink service, which currently holds a strong foothold in Nigeria and 17 other countries.
The company is engaging with key partners and preparing to deploy more satellites to boost internet connectivity on the continent.
Space42, supported by Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, is in preliminary negotiations with several influential organizations including the African Union Development Agency, Microsoft, Esri, and several financial backers. These talks seek to enhance Space42’s footprint throughout Africa’s diverse markets, according to CEO Hasan Al Hosani.
Without setting a definitive fundraising goal, Space42 has already established a physical presence in select countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe. Their early efforts involve linking schools and health clinics to the internet, bridging the digital divide in underserved areas.
While Starlink dominates the African satellite internet landscape with over 8,000 low-earth orbit satellites worldwide, Space42 is rapidly closing the gap. The Emirati firm currently operates eight satellites but plans to launch three additional ones later this year. Collaborations with tech giants Microsoft and Esri focus on developing advanced mapping tools aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure across the region.
There’s extensive groundwork that must take place locally in each country. Identifying partners, both governmental and private, is a key part of our approach to ensure our services integrate well with local needs. Africa’s young and rapidly expanding population creates a unique opportunity for satellite connectivity providers. Still, regulatory diversity requires tailored strategies for each nation – Hasan Al Hosani, CEO
Africa’s strong demographic growth and the rising demand for internet access make the continent highly appealing to satellite internet providers. However, navigating the complex and varying regulatory landscapes across Africa’s 54 nations remains a challenge.
Nigeria, where Starlink secured regulatory approval in 2022, is shaping up to be a critical market for Space42’s expansion. Millions of people living in remote and rural regions are eagerly waiting for reliable connectivity options, placing satellite services as a preferable alternative to traditional internet providers that struggle with last-mile delivery.
As of the first quarter of 2025, Starlink had grown to become Nigeria’s second-largest internet service provider by subscriber numbers. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission indicates that Starlink had 59,509 users in Q1 2025, down slightly from its peak of 65,564 in Q3 2024, but still ahead of most competitors. Despite its premium pricing, Starlink maintains popularity thanks to its quality and extensive coverage, outpacing over 200 other ISPs including Spectranet, the country’s pioneer 4G provider.
Space42’s planned ventures into Africa is a bold attempt to disrupt the satellite internet market and extend digital access to regions where terrestrial networks remain scarce.
