The news
- Starlink subscriptions in Kenya have dropped to just over 17,000 as of March 2025.
- The decline comes despite high expectations when Starlink launched the service in July 2023.
- Starlink recently reopened its sign-up portal for Kenyans after a temporary halt. Affordability remains a key concern, with equipment and monthly fees limiting uptake.
SpaceX’s Starlink is facing a drop in its Kenyan user base, with subscriptions dropping from over 19,000 in Q4 2024 to 17,066 as of March 2025. This decline follows a service pause that began in 2024.
After a brief suspension of new sign-ups, Starlink has reopened its portal for Kenyan customers. The move suggests Starlink is keen to rekindle interest and expand its footprint, even as early adoption lags.
Kenya was among Starlink’s first African markets, with the company initially offering pre-orders in early 2023 while awaiting regulatory approval. At the time, many hoped the service would be a game-changer for rural connectivity. However, the combination of equipment costs, subscription fees, and pushback from competitors has seen uptake remain modest.
Despite its rapid growth in the East African country, local telecom operators have raised concerns over Starlink’s market entry. Safaricom previously advocated for regulatory clauses that would compel satellite providers to partner with domestic networks, rather than operating independently. It also had to respond to claims that it was blocking Starlink payments made through its payment network.
Starlink’s slow growth also reflects wider affordability challenges Starlink faces across Africa. In Nigeria, for instance, where Starlink also operates, similar pricing concerns have sparked debates about the service’s accessibility for average consumers. Meanwhile, it has faced regulatory hurdles in African countries like South Africa, where it remains unwilling to comply with the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment laws.
As Starlink reopens sign-ups, all eyes will be on whether revised marketing efforts or potential pricing adjustments can help Starlink achieve its original vision of bridging Kenya’s connectivity gap, especially in regions where traditional ISPs have limited reach.
