Ayodeji Ayenuwa
The Nigerian government is actively engaging with SpaceX’s Starlink to explore potential job creation opportunities through local maintenance and production of Starlink’s hardware.
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Bosun Tijani, shared insights during the ongoing International Telecommunication Union-World Radio Communication Conference in Dubai, where discussions unfolded with Ryan Goodnight, SpaceX’s Senior Director of Global Licensing.
Dr. Tijani revealed that Nigeria holds a crucial position as Starlink’s most substantial market in Africa. He outlined the government’s interest in fostering local employment through innovative initiatives.
In his own words, he stated, “Excellent conversation with Ryan Goodnight, Snr. Director, Global Licensing & Activation of @SpaceX on the sidelines of ITU-WRC 23, who shared that Nigeria is their biggest market in Africa.”
The primary focus of these discussions is the exploration of programs that could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs within Nigeria. Dr. Tijani emphasized the government’s commitment to encouraging investment in the tech ecosystem.
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His vision includes initiatives such as a certified installer/maintenance program for Starlink and collaboration with local hardware startups for the production of repeater boxes.
He underscored this point in his tweet, “I also mentioned the possibility of creating thousands of new jobs in Nigeria through initiatives like a certified installer/maintenance programme for Starlink and working with hardware startups to produce repeater boxes locally.”
Starlink, despite its relatively higher costs compared to local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), has garnered significant attention in Nigeria.
As of June, it boasts a subscriber base of 6,756, positioning itself as a leading ISP in the country. The appeal of its satellite service is particularly evident in areas with limited internet connectivity.
To fortify its market presence, Starlink recently implemented a strategic 21% reduction in hardware costs, reducing the price from N378,000 to N299,500.
This move is aimed at making Starlink’s technology more accessible to the Nigerian audience while maintaining a monthly subscription fee of N38,000.
This engagement between the Nigerian government and Starlink signifies a strategic alliance in enhancing Nigeria’s communication sector.
The collaborative effort explores the potential of training local personnel for Starlink technology, aligning with the government’s agenda to bolster the local tech ecosystem.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
