Starlink is establishing ground stations in Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers States to enhance connectivity in Nigeria. The satellite internet company, owned by Elon Musk, is strategically building these facilities on approximately 29,000 acres of land across the three states. The ground stations will be located in Okun Ajah, Lagos State; Sagamu, Ogun State; and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to sources close to the project, who prefer to remain anonymous due to a lack of authorization to speak publicly, construction has already begun in Lagos, with completion expected by Q4 2024. The other sites are slated for completion in 2025.

Starlink is partnering with Equinix, a leading data center solutions provider, which entered the Nigerian market in 2022 through the acquisition of MainOne for $320 million. This partnership is a significant step in Starlink’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Nigeria as it expands its global network.

Starlink’s ground stations, also known as gateways, are vital for relaying data between the company’s low Earth orbit satellites and the internet backbone on the ground. These stations facilitate faster and more direct internet service by reducing the need for international data center routing, which can cause delays.

The introduction of these ground stations in Nigeria is expected to significantly enhance internet connectivity, benefiting both individuals and businesses. By reducing latency and improving overall internet performance, Starlink is poised to become a major player in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. Despite higher costs compared to local ISPs, Starlink has quickly become the third-largest ISP in the country, attracting a growing number of customers, particularly in areas with poor network coverage.