The Democratic Republic of Congo has granted a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite internet division of SpaceX, becoming the latest African nation to approve the service.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, which confirmed that Starlink “will proceed with the launch of its services in the coming days.”

Starlink’s entry into DR Congo follows recent approvals in Somalia and Lesotho in April, reflecting the company’s aggressive expansion across the African continent. The satellite provider is already operational in over a dozen countries, offering internet access in areas traditionally underserved by conventional infrastructure.

Connectivity remains a major challenge in the war-torn central African nation, where only around 30% of the population had internet access as of 2023, according to the International Telecommunication Union.

The Congolese government had previously resisted allowing Starlink to operate, citing national security concerns. In March, the regulatory authority had banned the service, warning that its advanced capabilities could be exploited by armed rebel groups such as the M23, which has recently gained ground in eastern DR Congo.

The recent licensing signals a policy shift, though officials have yet to comment on what led to the change in stance.

Meanwhile, Starlink is also seeking to expand into neighbouring Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni confirmed earlier this week that he held a “productive meeting” with Starlink representatives regarding potential operations in the country.