Less than a third of Niger’s vast territory has internet access, but the West African nation is now turning to satellite broadband to bridge the digital divide, particularly in remote rural areas.
The country’s patchy coverage is due to insufficient investment and the destruction of relay antennae by armed groups, according to electronic communications regulator ARCEP.
Starlink’s Role in Niger’s Digital Future
In November, Niger’s military government signed a five-year contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, allowing the company to provide high-speed internet across the country. Niger joins about 15 other African nations that have authorized Starlink’s satellite network.
“Essential services that drive economic development—banks, hospitals, schools, the energy and farming sectors—all rely on the internet and data,” said economist Ibrahim Adamou Louche.
Communications Minister Sidi Ahmed Raliou expects the deal to extend internet access to 80 to 100 percent of Niger, a country spanning 1,267 square kilometres (490 square miles) of mostly desert terrain.
High Cost of Access
The agreement is profitable for Starlink, but costly for Niger’s citizens. Nearly 50 percent of the population lives on less than a dollar a day, according to the World Bank. Yet, individuals seeking satellite internet access must pay between 260,000 and 400,000 CFA francs ($414 to $637) for the necessary equipment.
Black Market and Rural Demand
The high cost has led to illicit operations, with some equipment smuggled in from neighbouring Nigeria. Those who cannot afford the full setup instead pay for limited-time internet access.
“On market days especially, people gather around the Wi-Fi router,” said Moussa Djibrilla, a secondary school teacher in the rural western town of Mangaize.
While Starlink’s adoption is slow in Niamey, Niger’s capital, demand is rising in rural areas. Technician Moumouni Harouna noted that people “out in the bush” prefer satellite internet because they never lose connection.
Changing Lives in Remote Villages
In Gorou, a small village near the Mali border, local phone and internet relay towers were destroyed eight years ago. Now, with satellite internet, “We’re back in civilization,” said resident Alfa Hama.
“We don’t need to travel six kilometers and climb a hill to get a weak signal anymore,” he added. “The Wi-Fi is right here.”
Even in the Tenere desert, where travellers and migrants pass through on their way toward Europe via Libya, high-speed internet is available—for a price.
In Tabelot, an area with illegal gold mining operations and a busy long-distance bus station, internet hotspots are now part of daily life. Some entire communities pool resources to buy communal satellite equipment, said local Touareg chief Youssaf Houssa.
“People can connect through WhatsApp groups and do business online,” he explained.
Resistance from Traditional Telecom Providers
Not everyone is pleased with Niger’s embrace of satellite broadband. The country’s four established telecom operators, often criticized for poor service quality, see Starlink as a major competitor.
“Satellite solutions complement what we do, but they can’t replace the advantages we offer in terms of cost, performance, and customer service,” said a senior executive from one of the operators, speaking anonymously.
While challenges remain, Niger’s adoption of satellite broadband marks a significant step toward digital inclusion in one of the world’s most isolated regions.
