Namibia Rejects Starlink Operating Licence
Namibia Rejects Starlink Operating Licence – Satellite internet provider Starlink has suffered another setback in Southern Africa after Namibia rejected its application to operate in the country.
According to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), the company had applied for a licence through its local subsidiary, Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited. However, the regulator confirmed in a government gazette that the application had been declined.
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Authorities did not provide detailed reasons for the decision, stating only that “the full reasons for the decision can be requested from the authority.”
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX owned by billionaire Elon Musk, offers high-speed internet to remote areas using a network of low Earth orbit satellites. The service has been expanding globally, particularly in regions with limited traditional internet infrastructure.
Despite the rejection, CRAN indicated that Starlink’s Namibian subsidiary currently has no local ownership — a factor that may have influenced the decision, although this was not explicitly confirmed.
On its part, Starlink has previously stated that it intends to partner with local companies to create jobs and boost economic opportunities in markets where it operates.
The development comes as the company continues to face regulatory hurdles in the region. In neighbouring South Africa, Starlink has also failed to secure a licence due to strict ownership regulations.
South Africa requires telecommunications firms, including those with foreign investment, to allocate at least 30% equity to historically disadvantaged groups — a policy introduced to address inequalities stemming from apartheid. However, Musk has opposed such requirements, reportedly describing the black economic empowerment policy as “openly racist.”
