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Elon Musk’s Starlink is rapidly expanding its operations in Nigeria, establishing new ground stations in Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers states to enhance the country’s internet connectivity.
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These stations aim to reduce latency, bypass international data centers, and position Starlink as Nigeria’s leading internet service provider (ISP). Partnering with Equinix, the project will cover approximately 29,000 acres, with key facilities expected to be fully operational by 2025.
This expansion is a strategic move for Starlink, which is already recognized as Nigeria’s fastest-growing ISP. With this new infrastructure, Starlink is poised to capture over 60% of the market within the next two years.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Starlink emerged as Nigeria’s third-largest ISP, boasting 23,897 subscribers, as the country’s total internet subscriptions reached 164 million in the first quarter of 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Construction has commenced at the Okun Ajah site in Lagos, with completion anticipated by the fourth quarter of 2024. The ground stations in Sagamu, Ogun, and Port Harcourt, Rivers are set to follow, becoming operational by 2025.
These ground stations, also known as gateways, are essential for relaying data between Starlink satellites and the terrestrial internet backbone. By bypassing international data centers, Starlink aims to deliver faster and more reliable internet services across Nigeria, significantly improving connectivity for both individual users and businesses, especially in underserved areas.
Starlink’s presence in Nigeria began in 2022 when it acquired an ISP license from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), alongside other essential licenses. Despite its higher costs compared to local ISPs, Starlink’s aggressive expansion solidifies its growing dominance in Nigeria’s telecom sector, where it is quickly becoming a key player.
