Morocco in Talks with Elon Musk’s Starlink for Sahara Deployment
Starlink, under Elon Musk, is negotiating with Moroccan authorities to provide satellite internet in the Moroccan Sahara, following significant talks at the Qatar-Africa Business Forum. Approval from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency is critical. This deployment could enhance connectivity and economic growth in the region, amid regulatory uncertainties.
hassan benyoub 
Rabat, March 5, 2025 – Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider under SpaceX, has initiated discussions with Moroccan authorities to deploy its services over the Moroccan Sahara, according to Africa Intelligence. The negotiations, which began in summer 2024, gained momentum at the Qatar-Africa Business Forum in Marrakech in November 2024, where Starlink Vice President Lauren Dreyer engaged with Moroccan representatives.
Strategic Partnership in Progress
The talks aim to extend Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet to Morocco’s southern provinces, including Western Sahara, where traditional connectivity is limited. Africa Intelligence reports that the deployment hinges on approval from Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT), which oversees telecom licensing. This follows Starlink’s global expansion, covering over 100 countries, and its recent push into Africa, despite regulatory hurdles in nations like South Africa and Cameroon (Semafor, July 2024).
Lauren Dreyer’s presence at the Marrakech forum, alongside Moroccan officials, signals serious intent, building on Musk’s ties with King Mohammed VI, strengthened by Tesla’s renewable energy projects in Morocco (Modern Diplomacy, Nov 2024). Posts on X from tech enthusiasts like @MoroccoTechHub called it “a game-changer for Sahara connectivity,” while @AfricaDigital warned of regulatory delays ([X posts, March 5, 2025]).
Why It Matters
Starlink’s deployment would boost Morocco’s digital infrastructure, supporting economic development in Western Sahara amid its 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosting role. It aligns with Morocco’s 5G rollout delays, as telecom giants like Maroc Télécom, Orange, and Inwi compete for upgrades (Africa Intelligence, March 5, 2025). The project could also counter Algerian influence in the region, given tensions over Western Sahara, and enhance Morocco’s position in Musk’s global vision, including SpaceX’s Starbase expansion (SpaceX, Feb 2025).
However, regulatory approval remains uncertain, with ANRT cautious after banning crypto platforms in 2017 and facing Starlink’s past African regulatory battles (CSIS, Sept 2024). Web reports note Morocco’s top-30 global crypto adoption ranking, suggesting tech openness, but telecom regulation lags (Binance, March 2025).
What’s Next?
ANRT’s decision, expected by mid-2025, will determine Starlink’s Sahara rollout, potentially transforming connectivity and trade.
