Namibia has rejected licence applications from satellite internet provider Starlink, citing failure to meet key ownership and regulatory requirements, according to a statement released Wednesday by the country’s communications regulator.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia said the company did not satisfy all legal conditions required to operate in the southern African nation.
A notice published in the government gazette confirmed that Starlink’s applications for a telecommunications service licence and access to radio spectrum had been declined.
Regulators said the company met only three of the six statutory criteria outlined under Namibia’s communications laws. The decision reflects the country’s strict approach to regulating strategic sectors such as telecommunications.
At the centre of the dispute is Namibia’s requirement that telecommunications providers must have at least 51% local ownership unless granted a formal exemption.
CRAN said Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX owned by Elon Musk, is wholly foreign-owned and had not secured such an exemption.
Security and compliance concerns raised
The regulator said the company’s ownership structure raised concerns beyond economic participation, pointing to national defence and public security considerations.
According to CRAN, a business model with 100% foreign ownership creates challenges around jurisdiction and the enforceability of compliance obligations under Namibian law.
Officials added that these issues are critical in a sector considered essential to national infrastructure and information security.
The regulator also cited previous compliance issues. It said Starlink had contravened provisions of the Communications Act and failed to respond to a formal summons issued by authorities.
“This demonstrates a total disregard for the governance framework of the sector,” the regulator said in its statement.
In November 2024, CRAN issued a cease-and-desist order against the company, alleging it had been operating in Namibia without the required licence.
Despite the concerns, the authority acknowledged that Starlink met several technical and operational benchmarks, including competition standards, financial capacity and frequency availability requirements.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the latest decision.
Expansion in Africa faces regulatory hurdles
Starlink has been expanding rapidly across Africa, offering satellite-based internet services aimed at improving connectivity in underserved and remote regions.
The service is already operational in several countries on the continent, where it has been welcomed as a solution to infrastructure gaps in traditional broadband networks.
However, the rollout has not been without challenges. In some markets, the company has faced resistance from regulators enforcing local ownership laws or protecting state-backed telecommunications providers.
Analysts say Namibia’s decision highlights a broader trend in Africa, where governments are balancing the need for increased internet access with regulatory control and national interests.
The case also underscores the importance of compliance with domestic laws, particularly in sectors tied to national security and economic development.
While Starlink continues to pursue growth across the continent, Namibia’s rejection signals that entry into certain markets will depend not only on technical capability but also on adherence to local ownership frameworks and regulatory standards.
The decision leaves uncertainty over when or whether the company will reapply under revised conditions that meet Namibia’s legal requirements.
