Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 3 June 2026 — Starlink has delivered 150 kits to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity in support of the ongoing Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The kits are being deployed in Ituri Province, where response teams are working to stop the Ebola outbreak through strengthened surveillance, testing, treatment, case reporting and coordinated field operations, while supporting frontline health workers responding to the crisis.
Traditionally, to bring high speed, low latency connectivity somewhere it meant heavy equipment and was an intense project that could take years. With Starlink, everything you need is in a small box that will fit in a backpack. Without the bounds of traditional ground infrastructure, Starlink can be deployed in a matter of minutes. Starlink kits are designed to let users come online within minutes of unboxing, without expert assistance. Open the box and you have a mount, wifi router, and power cords. Put it in a place with a clear view of the sky.
Reliable connectivity plays a critical role during disease outbreaks. This effort follows discussions between Africa CDC and Starlink on how Starlink’s broadband connectivity can support public health emergency response efforts in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Powered by thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit, Starlink will support real-time transmission of surveillance data and contact monitoring, improve communication between health facilities and emergency operations centres, and strengthen coordination of logistics and supply chains. Starlink connectivity will also support training and information-sharing among frontline responders working in affected areas.
“Outbreak control depends on speed, coordination and information,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “Every day, frontline teams make critical decisions that rely on timely data and communication. Reliable connectivity helps health workers report cases more quickly, coordinate response activities more effectively and access the technical support they need. This contribution strengthens our ability to support affected countries and protect lives.” Africa CDC extends its appreciation to Starlink for this timely contribution and its support for public health emergency response efforts on the continent.
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About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
About Starlink
Starlink is the world’s most advanced satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit, delivering reliable broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more. Starlink is engineered and operated by SpaceX. As the world’s leading provider of launch services, and the only provider with an orbital class reusable rocket – SpaceX has deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations. Learn more at www.starlink.com and follow @Starlink on X.
Media Contact:
Africa CDC: Directorate of Communication & Public Information | Communications@africacdc.org
Starlink: media@spacex.com
