Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Terminals Sold Out in Harare Amid High Demand

Starlink internet terminals have sold out in Harare, Zimbabwe, less than two months after receiving official approval to operate in the country.

Zimbabwe now joins Nigeria as the only African nations where Starlink terminals are completely unavailable, reflecting significant demand for the high-speed satellite internet service.

Starlink’s website indicates that Harare’s sell-out status is similar to five major cities in Nigeria—Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Warri—where new orders can no longer be placed. The surge in interest for Starlink in Zimbabwe has been swift since the company, owned by SpaceX, secured its operating permit in early September. Consumers have been ordering directly from Starlink’s website, circumventing a previously thriving secondary market where resellers had inflated prices. This shift has led to the collapse of that market.

The introduction of Starlink has intensified competition among local internet service providers, prompting them to lower prices to retain customers amid the U.S. company’s entry. With over 2.6 million users globally, Starlink utilizes a network of 5,500 satellites launched by SpaceX since 2019, providing reliable broadband access in areas with limited internet infrastructure.

While Starlink is already making an impact in Zimbabwe and Nigeria, it has yet to launch in neighboring South Africa. However, ongoing discussions between Starlink representatives and South Africa’s communications minister, Solly Malatsi, suggest that an introduction may be forthcoming.

The overwhelming demand in Zimbabwe underscores the country’s eagerness for improved internet connectivity and sets the stage for potential future expansions across Africa.