The leading pan-African e-commerce platform collaborates with Starlink to expand Africa’s access to internet connectivity
Jumia, the leading e-commerce platform in Africa, has announced an agreement with Starlink, a satellite internet service, to retail the Starlink Residential Kit in Africa.
With this partnership, Jumia aims to bridge the digital divide by delivering Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet to previously underserved regions of Africa. The agreement will initially cover Nigeria, with plans for expansion to Kenya, and thereafter to the remaining African countries where Jumia operates.
“We are thrilled to be the first company on the continent to join forces with Starlink to expand this groundbreaking technology in Africa. This agreement aligns perfectly with our mission of using technology to improve lives across Africa. By expanding access to Starlink’s internet service through the Jumia platform, individuals and communities can be empowered with high-speed, low-latency internet access, driving economic growth and unlocking new opportunities,” said Hisham ElGabry, Group Chief Commercial Office, Jumia.
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Starlink’s broadband internet service can revolutionize the way Africans connect, eliminating the limitations imposed by traditional infrastructure and unlocking a wealth of educational, entrepreneurial, and entertainment possibilities. The reliable high-speed connectivity can empower users to access online resources, participate in e-learning platforms, engage in e-commerce, and enhance their communication capabilities.
Jumia’s expansive reach, coupled with Starlink’s satellite constellation engineered by SpaceX, can pave the way for millions of Africans to experience the transformative power of high-speed internet. The collaboration represents a significant milestone in Africa’s digital evolution and underscores Jumia’s commitment to spearheading technological advancements on the continent.
The pact is set to help Starlink sell terminals in areas that lack formal addresses and city mapping, while Jumia will reap from being the first to bag the distributorship deal on the continent.
The Elon Musk-owned internet firm operationalised its services in the Kenyan market in July this year, setting the stage for intensified competition with local players such as Safaricom, Jamii Telecommunications and Zuku.
At the time, the firm which is an outgrowth of Musk’s space technology company SpaceX, appointed local internet firm Karibu Connect as its first authorised reseller in the country.
The Starlink satellite technology supports services that are not possible with traditional terrestrial solutions, allowing unmodified smartphones to connect to satellites in areas with coverage gaps.
Fears about uptake, however, arose after it emerged that subscribers would require Ksh100,000 ($674) upfront to install in addition to Ksh6,500 ($43.84) monthly.
