Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by SpaceX, is reducing its prices in Nigeria by offering a 21% discount on its installation fees, dropping the price from ₦378,000 ($378) to ₦299,000 ($299). 

Starlink also claims it will also offer a partial refund to its Nigerian customers who ordered the hardware ‘within the last 30’ days. Starlink noted that the discount offer will end on November 15. 

This price reduction comes as Starlink partners with Jumia, Nigeria’s popular e-commerce platform, to expand its reach. While Starlink has high-speed internet capabilities that are well-suited for regions with limited broadband access, its adoption in Nigeria and other parts of Africa has been hindered by affordability issues and regulatory challenges. 

With less than 10 percent fixed broadband coverage in Nigeria, millions of Nigerians are outside the internet envelope and are unable to use it to gain access to information that protects them against threats to their health and livelihoods, gain new skills or take advantage of new opportunities. 

Starlink’s price slash may increase its customer base in Nigeria from 6,756, it has a long way to go to address the nation’s digital gap. A mixture of more-expensive-than-average monthly costs, forex availability and regulatory hurdles will continue to hobble the satellite company, but it is showing improved adaptability and resilience.