- Failed three of six regulatory criteria
- 1 164 vouched for Starlink
- 1 180 submissions received
Allexer Namundjembo
The rejection of Starlink’s licence application to operate in Namibia has been described as a setback for job creation. Some critics warn that it may limit opportunities in the digital economy.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the decision could have affected employment prospects.
“Imagine how many jobs and opportunities this could have created,” he said, noting that Starlink has improved internet access in rural areas in other African countries.
“That kind of connectivity can change lives, especially in underserved areas.”
He questioned whether the move was aimed at protecting local telecommunications interests.
“Namibia doesn’t have fully locally owned telecom players to protect in the first place. We should be focused on expanding access, creating jobs and moving forward — not holding back progress,” he said.
On Monday, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) rejected Starlink’s application, with the decision published in the government gazette the same day.
Starlink, a company owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, had applied for both a telecommunications service licence and a spectrum licence to offer satellite internet services in Namibia.
Legal practitioner Kadhila Amoomo said on Tuesday that consumers continue to face limited and costly services.
“Namibians must continue suffering at the hands of a monopoly telecom that is unreliable. The network is always cutting, and every day they are just working on it. We are stuck with excessively expensive services that absorb our data like a sponge,” he said.
He also dismissed concerns about data privacy linked to global technology companies.
“Every day we feed our information into Google, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. These platforms already know who we are. What will Starlink do worse?” he said.
Technology expert Nrupesh Soni previously said the decision reflects a balance between opportunity and regulation. “
He said the service could connect farms, lodges, schools and remote communities and support sectors such as tourism and remote work.
Soni said the issue also involves national policy and regulation.
Starlink applied for a telecommunications service licence and spectrum access in June 2024 through its local entity. The application was published in November 2025 for public consultation.
Cran said it received 1 180 submissions, with 1 164 supporting Starlink’s entry.
The application faced regulatory requirements, including a rule that telecommunications licensees must have at least 51% local ownership. Starlink sought an exemption from this requirement.
Cran also considered compliance with the Communications Act, spectrum allocation, national security and competition.
Cran on Tuesday said Starlink met only three of the six criteria, which disqualified the application under the Communications Act.
The application failed to meet requirements on ownership and control, national security, and compliance history.
Cran’s executive for communication and consumer relations, Mufaro Nesongano said Starlink does not meet the legal requirement for at least 51% local ownership and did not apply for an exemption.
Nesongano said authority also raised concerns about national security and regulatory oversight, saying the company’s model of operating with full foreign ownership makes it difficult to ensure compliance with local laws.
Nesongano said Starlink had previously operated in Namibia without a valid licence and failed to respond to regulatory summons.
“Starlink’s contravention of the Communications Act and failure to respond to the Authority’s summons shows a total disregard for the governance framework of the sector,” he said.
Cran said it cannot approve applications that do not meet all mandatory requirements.
It also rejected the spectrum licence application, stating that it cannot be granted without a valid telecommunications service licence.
Starlink or any affected party has 30 days from 23 March 2026 to request reconsideration of the decision.
Starlink launched in Africa in 2023 and now operates in several countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana and Botswana.
Other countries, including South Africa, Mauritius and Angola, have not yet approved its operations due to regulatory concerns.
