Starlink Forces Safaricom to Boost Internet Speeds in Kenya by Up to Five Times, Expands to Burundi

Sep 24, 2024, 12:28 PM

Elon Musk's Starlink is significantly impacting the internet market in Africa, particularly in Kenya. The growing popularity of Starlink has prompted Safaricom, a major telecommunications company, to increase the speed of its fiber internet packages by up to five times. Safaricom has adjusted its offerings to provide higher speeds at competitive prices, with packages now offering 15 Mbps for KES 3,000 ($23), 30 Mbps for KES 4,100 ($32), and 80 Mbps for KES 6,300 ($49). President William Ruto of Kenya acknowledged that Starlink's entry into the market has forced local providers to improve their services. Starlink has also expanded its reach in Africa, with Burundi becoming the 17th African country to activate the service, following Zimbabwe’s launch in early September.