Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, is making significant progress in Nigeria by establishing ground stations across the country to enhance internet connectivity.
These stations, also known as gateways, are crucial for Starlink’s satellite-based internet service, enabling faster and more reliable connections.
Starlink has acquired around 29,000 acres of land in Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers states, with construction underway.
The first station in Okun Ajah, Lagos, is expected to be completed by late 2024, with others operational by 2025.
Starlink’s partnership with data center giant Equinix, which entered the Nigerian market through a $320 million acquisition of MainOne in 2022, is a key part of this expansion.
By bypassing international data centers, the new ground stations will reduce latency and improve internet performance for Nigerian users.
Despite its higher costs, Starlink has quickly become the third-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Nigeria since its launch in January 2023, driven by its ability to serve areas with limited internet coverage.
As Starlink continues to grow its infrastructure, it is set to become a dominant player in Nigeria’s telecom sector, providing a new benchmark for internet connectivity across the country.