By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Namibia has declined an application for Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, to be issued
a licence to provide satellite internet services in the Southern African country, marking a second
setback for the company in the region.
The regulator, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), announced the
decision without specifying reasons for its refusal, although it noted that Starlink’s Namibian subsidiary
lacked local ownership.
Regulatory Challenges Across Africa
Starlink operates in about 25 African countries but has faced similar regulatory challenges elsewhere,
including South Africa, where ownership rules have also blocked its operations.
Namibian law mandates that at least 51% of shares in any telecommunications company
must be owned by citizens or local entities.
Historical Context And Local Policies
Namibia, a former colony of Germany and under South Africa’s white-minority regime until independence
in 1990, has implemented policies to boost local business ownership and address racial inequality.
On its website, Starlink stated it has established a local company that will partner with Namibian firms
and create employment opportunities.
Possibility Of Reconsideration
CRAN noted it may reconsider the decision either “on its own motion or on a petition filed by an aggrieved
party” within 90 days.
In 2024, the regulator issued an order against Starlink for operating without a licence,
instructing the company to immediately cease all operations in Namibia and advising the public against
purchasing Starlink equipment or subscribing to its services.
Global Context
Elon Musk, born in South Africa in 1971 before relocating to Canada and then the US,
has blamed “racist ownership laws” for his company’s difficulties in Africa. Starlink provides internet
services through a network of satellites, targeting populations in remote areas lacking high-speed internet access.
“Starlink aims to connect underserved regions, but regulatory compliance and local ownership requirements remain critical barriers in Namibia and across Africa.”
