Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has officially launched in Zimbabwe, three months after securing an operating license in the Southern African nation. The company has partnered with IMC Communications, a government-approved local reseller, to bring high-speed internet access to Zimbabweans, despite challenges surrounding its entry into the country.
The launch offers two subscription packages: the regular Starlink hardware priced at $350, with a monthly subscription fee of $50, and Starlink Mini, which costs $200 with a $30 monthly subscription. Unlike other African countries where local currency pricing is available, Zimbabwean customers must pay in U.S. dollars.
Starlink’s entry into Zimbabwe comes after overcoming several regulatory hurdles. In August, Starlink launched its services in Botswana, making it the sixth country in Southern Africa to receive the satellite internet service. However, Zimbabwe’s regulatory journey was less smooth. In September 2023, the Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) confirmed that Starlink had applied for a license.
Soon after, POTRAZ launched a crackdown on unregistered Starlink users who had illegally imported devices from neighboring Zambia, warning that such activities were against the law. Complicating matters further, in October 2023, some Zimbabwean legislators pushed back against Starlink’s application, alleging that Musk’s other company, X (formerly Twitter), was being used to criticize President Emerson Mnangagwa and the country’s leadership .
Despite these challenges, in May 2024, President Mnangagwa announced that the telecommunications regulator had approved Starlink’s license, with IMC Communications being appointed the official and exclusive reseller .
With Starlink’s entry into Zimbabwe, the country joins the growing list of African nations adopting satellite-based internet, marking a crucial step toward improving internet connectivity in rural and underserved areas.
Starlink’s expansion across the continent signals the company’s determination to break into the African market, even as regulatory challenges persist.