Namibia rejects Elon Musk’s Starlink bid to operate in the country 

Namibia has turned down an application by Starlink, the satellite internet service backed by billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to operate in the country. The move denies the company both a telecommunications service license and access to radio spectrum. 

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) disclosed the decision in a government notice published on March 23. While the regulator did not spell out detailed reasons, it said the ruling could be revisited within 90 days, either at its own instance or following a formal appeal. 

The decision follows earlier tensions between the regulator and the company. In November 2024, CRAN issued a cease-and-desist order, accusing Starlink of operating without approval. It also warned consumers against buying the company’s equipment and moved to confiscate terminals considered illegal. 

Africa expansion faces regulatory hurdles 

Operated by SpaceX, Starlink has pushed aggressively into Africa since its regional debut in Nigeria in early 2023. Within months, the service had launched in markets including Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia, and is now present in more than 20 countries across the continent.

Still, its expansion has not been smooth. In several markets, including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Cameroon, regulators and local telecom operators have raised concerns ranging from licensing requirements to market competition. 

In South Africa, Musk has publicly pointed to ownership rules in the telecom sector as a barrier to entry. The South African-born billionaire has argued that the company has struggled to secure an internet service provider license despite strong demand, because he is not black.

A growing footprint, despite setbacks 

Starlink is now available in more than 150 countries and territories, offering broadband internet through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites. The service is designed to support streaming, video calls and other data-heavy uses, particularly in remote or underserved areas. 

The company has continued to add new African markets in recent months, including Senegal, as it looks to close connectivity gaps across the region. Other recent entries include countries such as Lesotho and Somalia. 

Elon Musk, SpaceX and Tesla CEO and world’s richest at $650 billion, has said the company will keep expanding where regulatory conditions allow, focusing on widening access to reliable internet in areas that traditional networks often struggle to reach.