Côte d'Ivoire has authorized Starlink to provide fixed satellite internet, with the government pointing to a rollout beginning in July 2026.
Digital transition minister Djibril Ouattara announced the authorization on June 11. The company named in the announcement is Starlink Network CIV.
The government's following-day news bulletin describes a 12-month authorization. It also points to rural areas, schools, and health facilities as potential beneficiaries.
For now, this is a regulatory announcement about a planned service. It doesn't establish that a household can activate a new local subscription on June 11.
We've just seen that distinction in Papua New Guinea's May activation, where the regulator separately confirmed when commercial service actually went live.
The Ivorian announcement concerns fixed internet access. It shouldn't be read as approval for every Starlink product, including a direct connection from a smartphone.
For someone outside the reach of a good terrestrial connection, a dish-based alternative could be useful. The cost of the hardware and subscription will still influence how widely people adopt it.
Our earlier coverage of Starlink's launch in neighboring Benin gives some regional background. Prices and availability in one country shouldn't be carried across the border as if they were the same offer.
The government statement doesn't provide a complete consumer price list, so there isn't a reliable local monthly figure to compare yet from this source.
The next useful milestone will be an orderable local service with clear terms. Until then, July is the announced target, rather than a launch that has already happened.
