Image: Starlink
Starlink plans to invest roughly R500 million ($28 million USD) to provide free Wi-Fi and hardware to 5,000 schools across South Africa as part of a broader R2.5 billion ($145 million USD) infrastructure rollout (via Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry).
The news follows remarks from Starlink’s Senior Director of Market Access, Ryan Goodnight, at the Internet Service Providers’ Association’s annual meeting. Goodnight outlined that Starlink’s South African investment will fund the construction of local ground stations, gateways, and Points of Presence (PoPs), alongside the school connectivity program. The company’s expansion comes as it works with the South African government on an equity equivalent framework that would allow it to operate under national ICT regulations.
Beyond schools, Starlink also plans to collaborate with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to enhance maritime safety. The NSRI welcomed the partnership, calling Starlink a potential game changer for rescue missions in remote coastal waters. South Africa’s 3,000-kilometre coastline often leaves rescue crews without reliable communication, but the NSRI said that “Starlink’s low-latency satellite network offers the potential to bridge this gap.”
Starlink’s upcoming investment reflects its growing global reach. The SpaceX-owned network recently surpassed seven million users worldwide and now operates in more than 150 countries and territories. The company has been aggressively expanding accessibility, recently lowering hardware costs for its Starlink Standard kit and Mini dish, alongside discounted monthly plans, across key markets to attract even more customers.
Next year, SpaceX plans to begin deploying its next-generation Starlink V3 satellites aboard the fully reusable Starship rocket. These satellites will boost network capacity and bring gigabit-level internet speeds to Starlink customers globally, including in Africa.
With this new initiative, Starlink is not only working to expand digital access in underserved regions but also showcasing how its technology can serve both humanitarian and infrastructural goals.
