According to Sawyer Merritt, SpaceX has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Airtel Africa to deploy Starlink Direct to Cell, targeting over 170 million people in 14 African countries. Beginning in 2026, this initiative will first offer essential data services supporting voice, video, and messaging, with plans to upgrade to high-speed broadband providing up to 20 times faster data speeds for smartphones. This advancement is expected to revolutionize AI-driven applications in remote and underserved regions by enabling robust connectivity, facilitating real-time data processing, and supporting the growth of digital services, fintech, and AI-powered health and education platforms. The partnership underscores a significant business opportunity for AI solution providers aiming to serve Africa's rapidly expanding digital economy and unlock new markets powered by advanced connectivity. (Source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter)

According to Sawyer Merritt on Twitter, Vodacom, South Africa’s largest telecommunications provider, has entered into a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to expand broadband connectivity across its African markets (source: Bloomberg, Nov 12, 2025). This collaboration leverages Starlink’s satellite internet technology, already operational in 25 African countries, to provide reliable high-speed internet access in underserved regions. The increased broadband infrastructure directly supports the deployment and scaling of artificial intelligence applications, such as remote diagnostics, smart agriculture, and e-learning platforms, unlocking new business opportunities for AI-driven solutions in sectors with traditionally limited connectivity (source: Bloomberg). This development underscores a major trend where improved digital infrastructure accelerates AI adoption and market growth throughout Africa.

According to @timnitGebru, leading voices in the AI community have raised concerns about the African Union's effectiveness in advancing AI-driven opportunities for Africans, citing insufficient support for grassroots innovation and digital infrastructure (source: @timnitGebru, x.com/_AfricanUnion/status/1984636353322115297). This sentiment reflects growing frustration among African AI researchers and entrepreneurs, who argue that bureaucratic limitations and lack of targeted investment hinder the continent's participation in the global AI economy. The discussion highlights a critical need for new frameworks and organizations that can more effectively foster AI talent, promote responsible AI governance, and attract business investment tailored to Africa's unique challenges and opportunities.