Namibia has rejected an application by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd for both a telecommunications service licence and radio spectrum, dealing the satellite internet provider another setback in southern Africa.
In a Government Gazette notice published yesterday, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) confirmed it had “resolved to decline” the award of a Class Comprehensive Telecommunications Service Licence and the associated spectrum licence required to operate satellite services nationwide.
“The Authority resolved to decline the award of a Class Comprehensive Telecommunications Service Licence (ECS and ECNS)… [and] a Spectrum Licence for the provision of satellite services,” the regulator said. “The full reasons for these decisions may be requested from the Authority.”
The rejection effectively blocks Starlink’s planned rollout of fixed satellite broadband services across Namibia, where the company had intended to use designated frequency bands to deliver connectivity to underserved and remote communities.
While CRAN did not publicly detail its reasoning, the notice highlighted that the local subsidiary is fully foreign-owned, with no Namibian shareholding, a factor increasingly shaping telecom licensing decisions across the region.
The decision mirrors regulatory resistance in South Africa, where Starlink has also failed to secure a licence due to local ownership requirements.
Under South Africa’s empowerment laws, telecom operators must allocate at least 30% equity to historically disadvantaged groups, a policy that Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, the parent company of Starlink, has criticised as “openly racist,” refusing to dilute ownership to comply.
Despite these hurdles, Starlink’s footprint across Africa continues to expand.
The company is now licensed in 27 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, where it has positioned itself as a key player in bridging the rural connectivity gap.
Starlink says it aims to partner with local businesses to create jobs and expand digital access, countering criticism over foreign control through its “Myth vs Fact” positioning.
CRAN noted that it may reconsider its decision within 90 days, either on its own initiative or following a formal petition, leaving a narrow window for Starlink to revise its approach.
The standoff highlights a broader policy tension across Africa of balancing foreign investment and rapid connectivity expansion with local ownership, economic participation and regulatory sovereignty.
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