Namibia has rejected the license application submitted by Starlink, the satellite internet service of billionaire Elon Musk, thus inflicting a second setback for the company in southern Africa after South Africa.
In an official statement, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) indicated that the request had been submitted by the local subsidiary, Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited. Without detailing the specific reasons for its decision, the regulator simply stated that "the full reasons can be requested from the authority."
However, the press release highlights a significant point: the Namibian subsidiary has no local ownership. This is a factor that may have influenced the assessment of the application, at a time when several countries in the region are strengthening their requirements regarding national ownership and economic redistribution.
Starlink, an American company specializing in high-speed internet via a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, highlights its ability to connect remote areas. On its website, it states its intention to forge local partnerships in Namibia to stimulate employment and economic opportunities.
This refusal is part of a broader regional trend. In South Africa, the group was also denied authorization to operate, facing regulations requiring telecommunications companies, including those with foreign capital, to sell 30% of their shares to historically disadvantaged groups. This policy aims to address inequalities inherited from apartheid.
Originally from South Africa, Elon Musk has publicly opposed these requirements, calling affirmative action rules "openly racist." This stance complicates Starlink's expansion prospects in the region, where the imperatives of economic sovereignty and inclusion remain paramount.
