South Africa may be rolling out the red carpet for Starlink

Updated May 27, 2025, 5:42 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

Government is finally cooking up a plan to bring Starlink to Mzansi! Here’s what you need to know.

South Africa could finally be clearing the runway for Elon Musk’s Starlink and other satellite internet providers to land in Mzansi, without the usual red tape.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg News, government is pushing ahead with a new policy directive that would basically sidestep strict Black-ownership requirements in the country’s telecommunications industry.

Why? To make it easier for international operators like Starlink to set up shop in Africa’s biggest (and, let’s be honest, most complicated) market.

ALSO READ: SA's plans to launch a homegrown satellite

Under current laws, companies must be at least 30% Black-owned to operate locally.

This is something that’s proven tricky for global giants.

The proposed workaround is an Equity Equivalent Program, which lets businesses invest in projects like infrastructure, local startups, digital inclusion and research instead of selling ownership stakes.

Think of it as paying your dues, but in a way that also builds the country.

This move comes as South Africa tries to smooth things over with the US and clinch key trade deals, especially with President Cyril Ramaphosa having recently popped over to the White House.

In case you missed it, check out what went down in the Oval Office below.

Tensions have been running high, with Musk and former US President Donald Trump shining the spotlight on South African policies, including airing out some unfounded conspiracy theories about the country.

If approved, this policy shift could be a game-changer for South Africa’s internet landscape.

Starlink’s system of low-Earth orbit satellites promises to deliver faster, more reliable internet, which rural communities desperately need.

According to 2023 stats from Stats SA, only 1.7% of rural households have internet access.

ALSO READ: ICASA declares war on spam callers in SA

So, for now, it’s a waiting game.

If Starlink gets the green light, though, we can expect a lot more South Africans to finally stream their favourite series without buffering.

For more information on how Starlink will affect tech regulations, economic empowerment and digital access in South Africa, Toby Shapshak unpacks it all with Newzroom Afrika below.