Elon Musk’s Starlink is in discussions with the South African government about launching its satellite internet service in Africa’s largest and most developed economy, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Musk says South Africa is yet to approve Starlink satellite internet
According to News24, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that he and Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a South African native, held talks about potential investments.
Cape {town} Etc reported last week, Zimbabwe became the 16th African nation to gain access to Starlink’s high-speed internet.
‘I have had discussions with him and have said, Elon, you become so successful and you’re investing in a variety of countries, I want you to come home and invest here,’ Ramaphosa told reporters in Pretoria.
‘He and I are going to have a further discussion.’
In a post on X last Sunday, Elon Musk responded to a comment about South Africa needing Starlink, stating the service is ‘awaiting regulatory approval.’
Starlink provides broadband via a network of about 5,500 satellites launched by SpaceX since 2019, serving 2.6 million customers worldwide.
However, it’s unavailable in key markets like Taiwan due to local ownership laws.
In South Africa, businesses must meet black ownership requirements to address apartheid-era inequalities
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Picture: Gallo