After months of economic pressure triggered by severe U.S. funding cuts and trade tariffs, Starlink launches in Lesotho with promises to reshape the country’s digital landscape and offer relief to struggling communities. The satellite internet service, spearheaded by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, officially launched on Monday through its local partner, T-Connect Lesotho.
This move comes as Lesotho grapples with the fallout from funding withdrawals from major U.S. aid programs such as USAID and PEPFAR, along with harsh import tariffs imposed under the leadership of former President Donald Trump. These policies, many of which were crafted under Musk’s now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led to widespread job losses, especially in the textile and public health sectors.
Despite facing domestic resistance, Prime Minister Samuel Matekane’s government approved a 10-year operating license for Starlink Lesotho, granting the country access to one of the world’s most advanced satellite internet systems.
Starlink Launches with Job Creation and Infrastructure Goals
At the virtual launch event on Monday evening, Starlink Vice President of Business Operations Lauren Dreyer and T-Connect Lesotho CEO Phelane Phomane presented a bold vision for Starlink’s impact in the region.
Phomane announced that the Starlink rollout is projected to create over 10,000 direct jobs and 50,000 indirect jobs throughout Lesotho. He added that this initiative isn’t just about providing internet access but about transforming Lesotho into a digital leader in Southern Africa.
“We will develop AI-powered data centres using Starlink across Lesotho, South Africa, and Botswana in partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA),” said Phomane. “The data centre in Lesotho will be the highest and most unique in the world, powered entirely by Starlink, and one of only four globally of its kind.”
A key feature of the Starlink launch in Lesotho is its promise of affordable and uncapped internet access for ordinary citizens. According to Phomane, Starlink-powered community internet hotspots will be deployed in all ten districts within weeks.
“We’re not going to sell data by the megabyte,” he emphasized. “Instead, we’ll charge for time spent online—at a cost less than a loaf of bread, which is M14 (R14).”
These hotspots will be accessible through a unique code system, allowing even people in remote or impoverished areas to get online without traditional mobile data plans.
The launch is not entirely new for certain parts of Lesotho. Chairman Nolo Letele, former executive of MultiChoice and credited with expanding DStv across Africa, noted that Starlink installations are already operational in rural schools in the high-altitude Thaba-Tseka district.
“These are areas that would never have had internet without Starlink,” Letele said. “It’s exciting to launch this on home soil and to expand it further. We aim to bring coverage to nearly every corner of Lesotho where the sun shines.”
Letele also highlighted T-Connect’s advantage in utilizing his vast African network, which spans 50 countries, to scale the Starlink model beyond Lesotho.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is not only supporting Lesotho’s Starlink launch but is also backing expansion across ten countries in the region. This financial support positions Starlink as more than a private venture—it is becoming a public utility tool in underserved areas.
According to T-Connect and DBSA, the satellite infrastructure provides a cost-effective alternative in regions where building fibre or mobile networks is economically unviable.
Speaking at the launch, Acting Minister of Communications Matjato Moteane said that Starlink’s arrival offers hope in overcoming the country’s geographical and infrastructural barriers.
“Due to our mountainous terrain and small market, connectivity has always been a challenge,” Moteane explained. “If a provider like Starlink can offer stable service at affordable prices, it will make a substantial impact.”
He added that even in urban areas, Lesotho has struggled with inconsistent internet services.Its launch could address this long-standing issue, particularly for schools, hospitals, and small businesses trying to stay connected.
While Elon Musk has stepped down from his political advisory role at DOGE, he remains deeply involved in advancing its international rollout. On Sunday evening, Starlink announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the service was now live in Lesotho. Musk, who owns the platform, quickly re-shared the post to his millions of followers, drawing global attention to the development.
This launch marks a critical moment for Lesotho, which is still reeling from economic instability. While some critics see the government’s cooperation with it as political appeasement to the U.S., others view it as a bold step toward technological and economic independence.
Source- EWN
