Niger has signed an agreement with satellite internet provider Starlink to improve internet access in the African country, Nigerien Minister of Communications and the Digital Economy Sidi Mohamed Raliou said.
"Niger will benefit from this latest generation technology... This will allow all of Niger to take advantage of this technology with a very high download speed of 200 megabits per second at a very low cost... This will also ensure fairly wide network coverage... The entire territory of Niger is covered by Starlink satellites," the minister said on Wednesday.
The ceremony to sign the partnership agreement was attended by Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine and members of the country's ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, Nigerien broadcaster reported.
Earlier, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that the telecommunications regulatory authority of Zimbabwe granted approval for the licensing of Starlink, permitting it to operate in the country. According to the president, Starlink will offer its services only through its local partner, IMC Communications.