SpaceX’s Starlink has quietly resumed new customer sign-ups in several African cities after a seven-month suspension caused by high demand and network congestion.
Starlink Restarts Internet Subscriptions in High-Demand African Markets
After pausing new registrations in late 2024, Starlink has reopened access to its satellite internet service in various African urban centres, including:
- Nairobi and outskirts (Kenya)
- Lusaka (Zambia)
- Kano, Port Harcourt, Warri (Nigeria)
- Accra (Ghana)
- Select cities in Zimbabwe
Users across these regions have reported that the “sold-out” message previously displayed on the Starlink website has disappeared, allowing for fresh sign-ups.
Why Did Starlink Pause Sign-Ups in Africa?
In November 2024, Starlink temporarily suspended new subscriptions in multiple African cities due to overwhelming demand and limited bandwidth. The service was put on hold in urban zones such as
- Kenya: Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, Murang’a
- Nigeria: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Warri
- Zambia: Lusaka
- Ghana: Accra
- Zimbabwe: Various urban centers
“Too many users are trying to access the Starlink service… and there isn’t enough bandwidth to support additional customers,” the company stated at the time.
What Has Changed?
Although Starlink has not released an official statement, regional checks show that previously restricted cities now allow new customer registrations, indicating:
- Increased bandwidth or infrastructure upgrades
- Strategic load balancing to ease congestion
- Improved rollout strategy for high-demand areas
However, Harare, Lagos, and Abuja still display capacity warnings, meaning users in these major hubs will have to wait longer for access.
Ongoing Bandwidth Challenges Highlight a Gradual Rollout
This selective reopening suggests that while Starlink is expanding its capacity in Africa, network constraints persist in some areas. The phased return indicates a targeted approach to handling service demand across the continent.
With Africa’s rising need for high-speed, low-latency internet, especially in underserved regions, Starlink’s return could significantly transform connectivity in:
- Remote rural communities
- Urban areas with unreliable broadband
- Regions affected by infrastructure gaps
Starlink’s African Expansion: What It Means
The reopening of Starlink sign-ups in key cities signals a critical milestone in the company’s efforts to scale internet access in Africa. It highlights the immense demand for reliable satellite internet and reflects growing competition in the continent’s evolving broadband market. As more regions come back online, Starlink is expected to play a major role in bridging the digital divide across sub-Saharan Africa.
