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Space Exploration Technologies Corp., widely known as Starlink, is entering into a partnership with one of Nigeria’s leading online retail platforms, Jumia, to extend its satellite broadband services across the African continent. This collaboration will involve Jumia taking on the role of selling Starlink’s satellite terminals and related equipment in select African countries, starting with Nigeria in the coming weeks.
This strategic partnership with Jumia will enable Starlink to make its terminals accessible in regions that lack formal addresses and detailed city mapping. Additionally, it will position Jumia as a pioneer in providing these kits through a sales and distribution agreement within Africa. Hisham El Gabry, Chief Commercial Officer at Jumia, expressed his enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating:
“We have observed Starlink successfully enter into similar agreements in Southeast Asia and South America, and now Africa will also have the opportunity to access high-speed internet services. The plan is to commence sales through our websites and local agents in Nigeria this month, with Kenya to follow.”
It is worth noting that Africa currently has the lowest internet penetration rate globally. To address this issue, the introduction of portable satellite terminals by Starlink, with the support of Jumia, aims to enhance broadband services in Nigeria and throughout Africa. Additionally, this partnership will address the long-standing challenge of extending internet infrastructure into remote areas in Nigeria, a task that traditional broadband providers like MTN, Airtel, and Glo have struggled with over the years.
With the assistance of Space Exploration Technologies Corp., led by Elon Musk, and its network of small satellites communicating through user terminals, the partnership with Jumia holds promise for significantly improving internet penetration in Nigeria and across the African continent.
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