Namibia Denies Starlink Telecommunications Licence
Namibia has denied Starlink a spectrum licence required for access to radio frequency spectrum, as well as a telecommunications licence to provide its satellite services in the country. The decision, published in the government gazette on 23 March 2026, did not include a reason for the rejection. According to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), the application had been submitted through Starlink’s local entity, Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited.
Furthermore, the notice indicates that the local entity has no ownership attributed to Namibian citizens, a factor that may have weighed on the regulator’s decision. This reflects a broader pattern observed in South Africa, where local equity participation has proven critical in securing licence approvals for foreign-owned technology providers.
CRAN noted that the decision is not necessarily final, indicating it may be reconsidered either on its own initiative or following a petition from an aggrieved party within 90 days. Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, March 24 in Windhoek, CRAN Board Chairperson Tulimevava Mufeti said that while the applicant met requirements relating to competition, technical and financial capacity, and frequency availability, it failed to satisfy key criteria on ownership, national security and compliance history.
“Starlink does not comply with the ownership requirements prescribed under Section 46 of the Communications Act, as the entity is wholly foreign-owned,” she said.
In addition, the company did not obtain an exemption from the statutory requirement that a license holder must have at least 51% Namibian ownership, according to Mufeti. Upon assessment, the CRAN found that the applicant met only three of the six criteria required under the law and therefore did not qualify for approval under the Communications Act, she said. SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, has not yet responded to CRAN’s decision, leaving its position on the development unclear.
Licensing Challenges and Market Access Constraints
Starlink currently operates in several African markets but has faced regulatory friction in others, often encountering resistance from established, state-backed telecommunications operators. In November 2024, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) formally ordered Starlink to halt its satellite internet operations in the country, citing the absence of a required telecommunications licence. The regulator also cautioned consumers against purchasing Starlink equipment and reported the confiscation of unauthorised terminals. At the time, SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment.
Amid these challenges, there was some hope for Starlink, as CRAN reported in December 2025 that it had received overwhelming public support for the company’s application to operate in the country, while it continued to assess the licensing request. With over 98% of comments backing Starlink, the case highlights the complex dynamics Starlink had to navigate, showing that public interest was only one piece of the puzzle in securing market access in Namibia.