WINDHOEK — Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRAN) has dismissed attempts to overturn its decision rejecting Starlink’s licence applications, dealing another setback to Elon Musk’s satellite internet company in Southern Africa.
The regulator reaffirmed that Starlink failed to comply with Namibia’s local ownership and control requirements, which require telecommunications operators to meet specific national ownership conditions before receiving licences. Authorities said the company did not satisfy these legal requirements, leading to the rejection of both its telecommunications and spectrum licence applications.
Namibia first denied Starlink’s applications in March 2026, citing concerns over ownership, compliance, and regulatory oversight. Regulators noted that Starlink remained wholly foreign-owned and had not secured an exemption from the country’s ownership rules.
The latest ruling mirrors similar challenges facing Starlink in neighbouring South Africa, where local ownership and empowerment regulations have also complicated the company’s efforts to secure operating licences.
Despite expanding rapidly across Africa and providing satellite internet services in numerous countries, Starlink continues to face regulatory hurdles in parts of Southern Africa, where governments insist on local participation and compliance with national telecommunications laws.
The decision means Starlink remains unable to officially operate in Namibia unless it meets the country’s regulatory requirements or receives a future exemption from the government.
