Introduction
Many people are aware of the importance of satellite internet access, but few know of its growing importance in the global market, especially in the Global South. In the past, this type of connection has been overlooked by governments, businesses, telecom companies, and individuals due to its slow speed and high prices; however, it has become a reliable solution for those who live in rural areas and lack access to fibre internet.
This Insight will examine the increasing adoption of satellite internet across the African continent, its potential to bridge the digital divide in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and the role it may play in advancing or combating extremist activities. While digital connectivity serves as a tool for education, economic growth, and social welfare, it also raises significant concerns as extremist groups begin to exploit this technology to enhance their operations in ungoverned or conflict-prone areas.
Terrorism in the Sahel
It cannot be overlooked that sub-Saharan Africa is the region most impacted by terrorism globally, particularly in the Sahel. In 2023, the region accounted “for just under 59 per cent of all [terrorism-related] fatalities.” The Global Terrorism Index of 2024 places Burkina Faso at the top spot for most affected countries by deteriorating violence and instability. In the Sahel’s central region, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, there has been a consistent increase in violent deaths and extremist activities due to political turmoil coupled with the dominance of military juntas subsequent to recent coups. Both Burkina Faso and Mali are under siege from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an alliance of Salafi-jihadist groups, and the Islamic State, which have intensified attacks across the Sahel. The result of such instability has caused a power vacuum that permits illicit actors to contest for control and amplify state fragility.
Figure 1: This graph highlights the disproportionate impact of terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Burkina Faso alone accounting for 23% of global deaths from terrorism. Source: Global Terrorism Index 2024.
In Nigeria, the conflict between the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram has caused massive violence. These two groups were once part of the same but split into two factions over ideological differences. Since 2020, Nigeria has recorded 29 major attacks, making it the epicentre of this deadly struggle between the two factions, with Borno being the most targeted state. Meanwhile, Niger has endured fewer attacks compared to its neighbours but also remains a target for both JNIM and IS, who take advantage of the recent coup’s political instability to plot and carry out new operations.
The Expansion of Satellite Internet Connectivity
Currently, the main satellite internet providers are Starlink, Amazon with its “Project Kuiper”, Viasat, and HughesNet. Among these, Starlink and Amazon are newcomers to the industry. In particular, Starlink has been expanding quickly, offering higher-speed connections and lower prices than in the past and, on 20 October, the company reached 6,473 satellites in orbit. While this may seem impressive, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, a license to deploy as many as 12,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. Furthermore, SpaceX has filed a request to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to launch 30,000 more.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper is set to become Starlink’s main competitor in the coming years. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted Amazon authorization to deploy 3,236 satellites, and the company has since completed testing two prototype satellites. Despite initial delays in project implementation, the FCC license requires Amazon to launch 50% of its satellites by 2026 and the remainder by 2029. As a result, the service is anticipated to become fully operational by 2025. Regardless of the company, the desired result is to bring fast and affordable internet connections to unserved and underserved communities.
The Role of Satellite Networks Among Extremist Groups
Digital connectivity through satellite internet allows communities to boost economies, spread educational opportunities and social welfare, and increase access to democracy. Indeed, there has been a 115% increase in internet users between 2016 and 2021 in sub-Saharan Africa who have benefited from this connectivity via new technologies. However, with the increased connectivity of citizens, violent extremist groups in sub-Saharan Africa are more prone to leverage satellite internet connectivity to expand their reach in conflict areas or ungoverned regions, especially when coupled with AI to enhance their social media manipulation, propaganda, and operation planning.
Extremist groups have leveraged the internet for years to expand their reach; satellite connectivity offers new opportunities previously considered unattainable. For instance, the ISWAP relies on satellite internet to communicate with the IS and other extremist organisations in the region. Currently, ISWAP has been using the Thuraya Wi-Fi, a plug-and-play router that provides secure internet access at speeds of 60 Kbps within a 30-metre range. While this speed may seem outdated when compared to modern-day internet standards – such as the UK’s average speed of 114 Mbps – it remains functional for violent extremist groups. In fact, it enables them to communicate with other extremist organisations, share images, videos, and information or amplify their propaganda in previously inaccessible areas.
For security reasons, the countries most targeted by extremist groups have been forced to introduce restrictions on satellite networks. Among these are Chad, Libya, Nigeria, and Sudan—Chad and Nigeria are particularly affected. In Nigeria, the state of Borno banned satellite phones after discovering that Boko Haram had used them to coordinate attacks. Meanwhile, ISWAP and Boko Haram continue to exploit the Lake Chad Basin to secure essential supplies, further complicating security efforts in a region that has suffered over 40,000 violent deaths since 2009.
In March 2024, Mali expressed concerns that extremist groups were increasingly exploiting satellite internet connectivity. As a precautionary measure, authorities temporarily suspended Starlink but lifted the ban in October 2024 for six months. This period allows for the simultaneous development of a new regulatory framework and the creation of a platform to register users currently using Starlink’s devices, intending to prevent the misuse of Musk’s internet service by extremists. Initially, Mali had considered completely removing Starlink, following the discovery that its operational kits were being used by extremists and separatists rather than helping to bridge the country’s digital divide.
How Generative AI Can Lead to Wider Propaganda
Extremist groups like ISWAP, Boko Haram and al-Qaeda in the Sahel have increasingly capitalised on advancements in satellite internet and AI to improve and expand their propaganda and recruitment operations, aiming to reach a wider audience across new geographical contexts. The availability of satellite connectivity has opened opportunities for these groups to operate in remote, previously inaccessible regions, where they can freely distribute extremist content.
Notably, IS and its affiliates have long propagandised cultural symbols and memes, such as a Family Guy reference in which Peter Griffin sings the slogan: “Our weapons are heavy, our ranks are many, but the soldiers of Allah are more than ready.” Such images are leveraged to craft propaganda that resonates with tech-savvy youth, making ideological themes more captivating and generationally relevant. The recent integration of AI further highlights this evolution. For instance, an al-Qaeda affiliate has produced extensive guides titled “Incredible Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence Chat Bots.” The guides explain how to use AI chatbots to spread disinformation and disseminate propaganda through platforms like Rocket.Chat, Telegram, and X.
These strategies reflect a broader trend of interconnection among extremist groups. Advancements made in one region, such as IS’s media tactics, can influence operations in others, like ISWAP’s campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa. This interconnectedness amplifies the overall threat, creating a sophisticated and adaptable network that continuously evolves. Emerging technologies and platforms enable these groups to reach wider audiences and strengthen recruitment in regions where conventional means of communication are challenging or nonexistent.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Satellite internet adoption to bridge the digital divide in the underserved regions of LDCs provides tremendous opportunities for improvement in education, healthcare, and economic conditions. However, its misuse by extremist groups enhances negative outcomes by enabling better internal communication and recruitment in conflict-prone areas.
In that respect, companies should enforce more stringent user identification to prevent anonymous access to satellite internet. To the extent possible, they should only register people with valid national IDs and implement biometric verification, like fingerprint or facial identification, where possible. In this manner, it will be easier to ensure internet provider devices are used responsibly. Companies should also introduce mechanisms for real-time monitoring and reporting. Such systems should only be activated via requests from governments that can provide appropriate evidence of the misuse of personal information.
Transparency is crucial, particularly in vulnerable areas. Companies should prioritize generating comprehensive reports on detected threats and share these findings with relevant authorities. Collaborative efforts with governments are essential to draft regulatory frameworks that balance security concerns with the need for equitable access to connectivity.
Mali’s initiative to establish a platform for registering Starlink users serves as a practical example for other countries facing similar challenges. This model underlines a need for the development of secure systems that are in line with national security objectives without compromising access to connectivity for underserved populations. If these measures are taken up, satellite internet can achieve its potential, promoting development in underserved communities while reducing the risk of misuse by violent extremists. However, success will lie in strong cooperation between governments and private entities to minimize dangerous unintended consequences.
Gaetano Sicolo is a Master’s student in Area and Global Studies for International Cooperation at the University of Turin, specializing in interdisciplinary area studies and international cooperation. He currently serves as a Junior Data Analyst at the Istituto Analisi Relazioni Internazionali (IARI), where he contributes to drafting geopolitical analyses focused on Sub-Saharan Africa.