Paratus Zambia, the Zambian unit of pan-African network operator Paratus Group, has completed the installation of Starlink satellite internet at 18 Family Legacy schools in Lusaka, institutions that between them serve more than 10,000 children. The company said the deployment was finished on Thursday, 15 October, according to Ecofin Agency, although South African technology news site TechCentral carried the same announcement a day earlier, on 14 October.
Key facts
- Paratus Zambia installed Starlink across 18 Family Legacy sites in Lusaka in approximately two weeks, both outlets report.
- The installations replaced a previous connection that TechCentral describes as unreliable and affected by frequent outages and limited infrastructure.
- Family Legacy chose Paratus Zambia, an authorised Starlink provider, for its in-country expertise and support and its ability to deploy across multiple sites quickly, according to TechCentral.
- Ecofin Agency reports that Family Legacy plans to keep expanding digital access across its schools.
Why it matters
Ecofin Agency frames the project against Zambia’s own school data, which separates internet use from reliable internet service. Citing the Ministry of Education’s 2025 statistical report, the agency says 8,239 schools used the internet for administrative activities and 5,487 used it for teaching and learning, but only 3,276 reported having a stable connection.
Ecofin Agency says those figures show the gap between using the internet for school administration, integrating digital resources into classroom instruction and maintaining reliable service. On its reading, the Paratus deployment addresses a challenge that goes beyond basic access.
National connectivity is growing at the same time. Zambia recorded 14.7 million internet subscriptions in 2025, up 10.1% year on year, according to figures from the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) cited by Ecofin Agency. The agency notes that rising subscription numbers do not necessarily mean schools have connections capable of supporting digital education.
What changed in the classrooms
TechCentral reports that the improved connectivity is already supporting teaching, administration and digital learning at all 18 schools, with staff and students using online tools more consistently. Both outlets single out learners studying information and communications technology, who now have more regular access to online research platforms and digital learning resources.
Chimuka H Mulenga, associate director for local resource mobilisation at Family Legacy, told TechCentral: “Reliable connectivity is able to fundamentally change how our schools operate.” Mulenga said the schools had previously struggled with the network and with accessing key information and learning opportunities online, and that day-to-day efficiency has improved.
Neil Nortjie, country manager of Paratus Zambia, said in the same report that connectivity is recognised as a critical enabler of education in Zambia and that the partnership is intended to help bridge the digital divide so learners in underserved communities are not left behind.
Why satellite, according to Paratus
TechCentral reports that traditional connectivity options are often constrained by distance from cellular towers and reliance on fixed-line infrastructure. Using Starlink, it says, Paratus Zambia delivered stable access across all Family Legacy sites with minimal ground infrastructure and rapid deployment.
Neither source gives pricing for the school installations or the service plans behind them. Readers weighing satellite against terrestrial options can see our separate reporting on how Starlink compares with 5G home broadband on speed and price.
Operators as the route to Starlink
The Zambian project runs through a licensed local operator rather than direct retail sales, a pattern Starlink News has tracked in other markets. Alaska Communications plans to resell Starlink as a failover service, while Philippine operator Globe took its Starlink-based mobile service abroad to Japan.
TechCentral describes Paratus Zambia as part of the Paratus Group, offering business and home connectivity, colocation and cloud services in Zambia, and as a provider of low-Earth orbit satellite services.
Other school connectivity programmes in Zambia
The 18 schools sit alongside larger efforts. Since 2024, a partnership between UNICEF, Zambia’s Ministry of Education and Airtel, the mobile operator, has connected 300 schools across all ten provinces, Ecofin Agency reports.
Ecofin Agency adds that connectivity challenges extend well beyond the 18 institutions covered by the Paratus deployment. Family Legacy, a US-based Christian organisation supporting more than 10,000 children in Zambia, intends to make connectivity an essential element of its long-term education model for students and teachers, according to TechCentral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zambia planning a wider Starlink rollout in public schools?
Yes. Ecofin Agency reports that a public-private initiative announced in September 2026 aims to connect 70 public schools to Starlink over three years. That programme also includes solar power solutions for schools that are not connected to the national electricity grid.
What is Family Legacy and how many students does it take in each year?
Family Legacy is a US-based Christian organisation that has operated since 2000 and supports more than 10,000 Zambian children through education, emotional care, healthcare, nutrition and social development, according to TechCentral. TechCentral says it enrols around 600 students a year in its schools and works to four pillars of care: academics, spiritual, physical and emotional. It is funded by donations from organisations and people who sponsor individual children.
What services does Paratus Zambia provide besides satellite internet?
According to TechCentral, Paratus Zambia runs a countrywide microwave and fibre network supported by international points of presence across Africa and beyond, plus an ISO-certified, Tier 3-design data centre for colocation. It also sells a home internet service with unlimited data, enhanced security features and 24/7 technical support, alongside low-Earth orbit satellite services.
How many Zambian teachers have been trained under the UNICEF and Airtel schools programme?
Ecofin Agency reports that the partnership between UNICEF, Zambia’s Ministry of Education and Airtel has trained 4,930 teachers in digital education and blended learning since 2024, alongside connecting schools in all ten provinces.
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