English>

Market News

South Africa to offer Musk Starlink deal before Trump meeting, Bloomberg News reports - REUTERS

MAY 21, 2025

JOHANNESBURG, May 20 (Reuters) - South Africa's government plans to offer a workaround of local Black ownership laws for Elon Musk's Starlink internet service to operate in the country, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing three people familiar with the discussions.
The offer would come at a "last-minute" meeting planned for Tuesday night between South African officials and Musk or his representatives, Bloomberg said.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and a delegation of government officials arrived in Washington on Monday in a bid to reset strained ties with the U.S.
Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. The South African leader's spokesperson told Reuters on Monday that licensing for Starlink would be discussed during the Washington visit.

Musk, who is South African-born, has previously claimed Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is not Black, an allegation South African officials refuted. South Africa's telecoms regulator said in March that Starlink had not applied for a licence.
Musk's assertion appeared to be taking a swipe at local Black Economic Empowerment rules, requiring foreign-owned telecommunications licencees to sell 30% of the equity in their local subsidiaries to historically disadvantaged groups.


SEE HOW MUCH YOU GET IF YOU SELL

NGN
This website uses cookies We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services
Real Time Analytics