LEO satellites could transform internet access across Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the least connected region in the world despite more than a decade of global progress in digital infrastructure. While mobile networks and smartphones have transformed access elsewhere, large parts of the region continue to operate on the margins of the digital economy. New research states that without a structural shift in how connectivity is delivered, the gap will persist, limiting economic growth, public services, and social inclusion for more than a billion people.

The study Low Internet Penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Role of LEO Satellites in Addressing the Issue, published in the journal Telecom, finds out why internet adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa remains stubbornly low and assesses whether low Earth orbit satellite networks can offer a realistic path forward.

Structural barriers keep internet access out of reach

Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest mobile internet penetration globally, with less than one-third of the population connected. Even among those who do have access, usage remains constrained. Average monthly data consumption per smartphone is far below the global norm, indicating not just limited access but limited utility.

The authors identify several interlinked barriers that continue to suppress connectivity. One of the most fundamental is network availability. Large portions of the population still live outside the reach of mobile broadband coverage, particularly in rural and remote areas. While urban centers have seen steady expansion of 3G and 4G services, rural rollout has lagged due to high deployment costs and low expected returns for operators.

Affordability further aggravates the problem. Smartphones remain out of reach for many households, and mobile data prices consume a disproportionate share of monthly income. In several countries, the cost of basic mobile broadband exceeds internationally recommended affordability thresholds. As a result, even where coverage exists, many people remain offline or restrict usage to the bare minimum.

Digital skills present another key constraint. The study notes that basic digital literacy remains uneven across the region, limiting the ability of users to benefit fully from online services. This skills gap reinforces low demand, creating a cycle in which limited adoption discourages further investment in network upgrades.

Regulatory and policy challenges further complicate the landscape. In many countries, telecom regulation has evolved slowly and often reflects external models that do not fully align with local needs. Delays in spectrum allocation, high licensing costs, and fragmented regulatory frameworks increase uncertainty for investors and slow infrastructure rollout.

Underlying all of these factors is a persistent deficit in supporting infrastructure. Power supply remains unreliable in many areas, while fiber backhaul and data centers are concentrated in a small number of urban hubs. Without these foundations, both fixed and mobile broadband networks struggle to scale.

Limits of existing access networks

The study reviews the main internet access technologies currently used across Sub-Saharan Africa and finds that each has significant limitations. Mobile broadband is by far the dominant access method, largely because many countries never developed widespread fixed-line networks. However, much of this mobile access still relies on older 3G technology, which offers limited capacity and lower data speeds compared to newer standards.

Fixed broadband penetration remains extremely low and is largely confined to capital cities and affluent urban neighborhoods. Fiber deployments have expanded in recent years, but coverage remains narrow and uneven. Outside major cities, fixed broadband is often unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

Public Wi-Fi networks play a limited but important role in schools, libraries, and transport hubs. While these networks provide shared access points, they cannot substitute for reliable, always-on connectivity at home or work.

Satellite internet has historically filled some gaps, particularly in remote areas, but traditional geostationary satellites suffer from high latency and limited capacity. These technical constraints have restricted their usefulness for modern applications such as video conferencing, cloud services, and real-time digital platforms.

The authors argue that these limitations explain why internet penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa has not followed the same trajectory as other regions. Incremental improvements to existing networks may not be sufficient to close the gap, particularly in rural and underserved areas where the economics of terrestrial infrastructure remain challenging.

Why low Earth orbit satellites change the equation

Low Earth orbit satellites represent a fundamentally different approach to connectivity, and the study positions them as a potentially transformative solution for Sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike traditional satellites that orbit far from the Earth, LEO satellites operate at much lower altitudes, enabling lower latency and higher data throughput.

These technical advantages make LEO networks suitable for real-time applications and data-intensive services that are increasingly essential for education, healthcare, commerce, and government operations. Because LEO constellations provide global coverage, they can reach areas that terrestrial networks struggle to serve, including sparsely populated rural regions and geographically challenging terrain.

The study documents the rapid expansion of LEO services across Sub-Saharan Africa, with providers such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Eutelsat launching operations in multiple countries. In several markets, LEO services have attracted strong demand not only in rural areas but also in cities where fixed broadband is scarce or unreliable.

This urban demand highlights a key distinction between Sub-Saharan Africa and more developed regions. In wealthier countries, LEO satellites are primarily positioned as a rural connectivity solution. In Sub-Saharan Africa, they are increasingly filling gaps in both rural and urban markets, reflecting broader infrastructure deficits.

The authors analyze three main business models through which LEO services are being deployed. In the consumer model, satellite providers sell connectivity directly to households and small businesses. This model has gained traction in cities and towns where users can afford the upfront equipment costs and monthly fees.

In the enterprise model, LEO providers partner with mobile network operators and internet service providers to extend coverage, backhaul base stations, or provide fallback connectivity when terrestrial networks fail. This approach allows mobile operators to expand coverage without building costly infrastructure in remote locations.

The government model focuses on connecting public institutions such as schools, clinics, and government offices. By leveraging LEO satellites, governments can extend digital services to underserved communities and support national connectivity goals without waiting for extensive terrestrial rollout.

Cost, regulation, and capacity remain major hurdles

The study identifies several challenges that could limit LEO satellites' impact if left unaddressed. Affordability remains the most significant barrier. The upfront cost of satellite equipment and ongoing subscription fees are high relative to average incomes across much of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Without subsidies or innovative financing models, LEO services risk becoming accessible only to wealthier households and businesses, potentially reinforcing existing inequalities. The authors point to examples from other regions where public funding has been used to offset costs for rural users and suggest similar approaches could be adapted locally.

Regulatory barriers also pose a challenge. In some countries, delays in licensing and spectrum allocation have slowed the rollout of LEO services. Concerns around data sovereignty, national security, and foreign ownership have further complicated regulatory approval processes.

Capacity constraints represent another emerging issue. High demand in urban areas has already led to congestion in some markets, highlighting the need for continued investment in satellite capacity and ground infrastructure such as gateways and points of presence. Without these upgrades, performance may degrade as user numbers grow.

Power supply reliability is a further concern, particularly in rural areas. Satellite terminals require consistent electricity, and outages can disrupt service. The study suggests that solar-powered systems could mitigate this challenge, especially for community institutions and remote households.