Namibia denies Starlink licence over local ownership requirements
Date: 2026-03-26
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
The
Namibian government has rejected Elon Musk’s Starlink application to operate
satellite internet services in the country, citing unmet regulatory
requirements. The announcement was made during a media briefing at the
Government Information Centre by Minister of Information and Communication
Technology Emma Theofelus, alongside CRAN Board Chairperson Tulimevava Mufeti.
According
to Theofelus, Starlink’s application satisfied only three of the six criteria
necessary for approval. One key shortfall was the local ownership requirement
under Section 46 of the Communications Act, which mandates that at least 51% of
a telecommunications company’s shares be held by Namibian citizens or local
entities.
The
minister emphasized that the government remains committed to supporting
innovation that benefits all Namibians while ensuring compliance with national
regulations.
The
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) noted that the decision
followed a thorough assessment of Starlink’s application.
