Namibia has rejected a request by Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink to operate in the country, marking another hurdle for the firm’s expansion in Southern Africa
The application was submitted through Starlink Internet Services Namibia Pty Limited, according to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, which announced the decision in an official government notice
The regulator did not provide detailed reasons for rejecting the licence, stating only that a full explanation could be requested directly from the authority
The move follows a similar setback in neighbouring South Africa, where Starlink has also been unable to secure approval to operate
In South Africa, licensing challenges are tied to regulations requiring telecom companies to allocate 30 percent ownership to historically disadvantaged groups, a policy aimed at addressing inequalities stemming from apartheid
The decisions highlight the regulatory and political complexities facing global tech companies seeking to expand internet infrastructure across the African continent
Source: TRT Afrika
