Starlink Hits 9 Million Global Users as Rapid Growth in Nigeria Accelerates Satellite Internet Adoption

SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has crossed 9 million global subscribers, underscoring the surging worldwide demand for satellite-based connectivity and reinforcing its growing footprint in emerging markets such as Nigeria.

The company announced the milestone in a post on X, revealing that Starlink now provides internet services across 155 countries and territories. SpaceX founder Elon Musk hailed the achievement, describing Starlink as “rebuilding the whole Internet in space.”

The global surge comes amid Starlink’s rapid rise in Nigeria, where it has emerged as the second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country. Industry data shows that as of Q3 2024, Starlink overtook several legacy providers to claim the number-two position—a ranking it has continued to maintain.

What Starlink’s data shows

Starlink’s growth trajectory has been steep. SpaceX reported 4.6 million users globally in December 2024, a figure that jumped to about 7 million by August 2025, climbed to 8 million by November 2025, and has now reached 9 million customers worldwide.

Beyond subscriber numbers, usage intensity is also increasing. According to an Insider report citing Cloudflare, global web traffic originating from Starlink users more than doubled in 2025, suggesting deeper reliance on satellite broadband for daily connectivity rather than occasional use.

A key revenue engine for SpaceX

Starlink has become central to SpaceX’s financial strategy. Musk has previously stated that the satellite internet business is “by far” SpaceX’s largest revenue driver, surpassing its rocket launch operations in terms of recurring income.

Market speculation continues to mount around a potential SpaceX initial public offering (IPO), with some estimates placing valuations as high as $1.5 trillion. Musk has also hinted that Starlink could eventually pursue a standalone IPO, a move that could unlock significant shareholder value.

Starlink’s Nigerian expansion

Although Starlink received its ISP licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in May 2022, it officially launched services in Nigeria in January 2023. Its arrival was widely welcomed for offering high-speed internet access anywhere in the country, independent of fibre infrastructure.

By Q3 2024, Starlink had become Nigeria’s second-largest ISP with 65,564 subscribers, trailing only Spectranet, the country’s oldest internet service provider. Updated NCC data shows Starlink maintained this position as of Q2 2025, with its subscriber base rising to 66,523 users.

Analysts attribute Starlink’s strong uptake in Nigeria to persistent broadband gaps, unreliable power supply, and growing demand from businesses, tech startups, remote workers, and digital nomads seeking consistent, high-quality connectivity.

Africa strategy gains momentum

Starlink’s African expansion is also accelerating, particularly through its direct-to-cell satellite service, which is widely seen as a potential game-changer for closing connectivity gaps across the continent.

In a major development, Airtel Africa recently signed a landmark agreement with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s direct-to-cell services across multiple African countries, including Nigeria—signalling a deeper integration of satellite technology into Africa’s mobile and broadband ecosystems.

As Starlink’s subscriber base continues to climb, its growing influence in Nigeria and across Africa highlights a broader shift toward satellite-enabled connectivity as a critical pillar of the continent’s digital future.