Kenyan internet service provider Mawingu Networks will spearhead the local deployment of a new rural connectivity programme backed by Microsoft and satellite internet provider Starlink, in a move aimed at expanding high-speed internet access to underserved communities across the country.
The initiative combines Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology with Mawingu’s established last-mile broadband infrastructure to deliver reliable connectivity to areas where traditional fibre and terrestrial networks remain limited or economically unviable. Under the programme, Mawingu will oversee the deployment, integration and operation of connectivity across 450 community hubs in rural and peri-urban regions nationwide.
These hubs — including schools, farmer cooperatives, aggregation centres and digital resource facilities — are expected to function as shared digital access points. The partners say the goal is not only to provide internet access, but also to enable online learning, support agricultural value chains, facilitate entrepreneurship and expand access to cloud and AI-powered services.
Mawingu’s mandate extends beyond simply installing satellite terminals. The company will manage site deployment, integrate satellite backhaul into its terrestrial last-mile network, coordinate local stakeholders and oversee ongoing operations. The model leverages Starlink’s satellite capacity for backhaul while using Mawingu’s fixed wireless and fibre distribution systems to extend connectivity deeper into communities.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, entered the Kenyan market in 2023 and has steadily grown its footprint, particularly in areas poorly served by fibre infrastructure. The service uses a constellation of LEO satellites to deliver lower-latency broadband compared to traditional geostationary satellite providers. However, uptake in rural areas has been constrained by the cost of hardware and the need for localized distribution and support — gaps this partnership aims to address.
The announcement comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to formalize satellite internet operations. Under new regulatory requirements issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya, satellite service providers and resellers must ensure compliance with licensing conditions, local data protection laws and user registration requirements similar to those governing mobile SIM cards. Customers are required to provide valid identification during service activation, aligning satellite connectivity with Kenya’s broader digital governance framework.
Industry analysts say these measures are designed to enhance accountability and cybersecurity oversight while supporting the government’s digital transformation agenda.
For Mawingu, the partnership reinforces its long-standing focus on rural connectivity. The company has built its reputation on community-based broadband deployment models that combine infrastructure rollout with digital literacy training and institutional partnerships. By embedding connectivity in schools, cooperatives and community centres, Mawingu aims to drive sustained adoption rather than one-off installations.
Globally, an estimated 2.2 billion people remain offline, with rural populations disproportionately affected. In Kenya, while mobile broadband penetration is high in urban areas, significant connectivity gaps persist in remote counties. Policymakers increasingly view satellite technology as a complementary solution to fibre expansion, particularly in geographically challenging regions.
“Access is the foundation of opportunity,” Mawingu CEO Farouk Ramji said in a statement, noting the company’s ambition to positively impact one million Africans by 2028.
If successfully implemented, the Microsoft–Starlink initiative could position Kenya as a continental model for blending global satellite capacity with strong local execution, accelerating inclusive digital growth and extending the benefits of the digital economy to communities historically left offline.
