In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk’s Starlink, the ambitious low-orbit satellite service, has hit a stumbling block in its quest to expand its global reach as the Botswana Communication Authority rejected Starlink’s application to operate in the country, just as the company geared up for its planned launch in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Starlink had submitted its application in May 2023, anticipating a smooth process for its entry into the African nation. However, regulatory authorities in Botswana cited that the company failed to provide all the necessary information required for the application, though specific details remain undisclosed.
A source within the Botswana Communication Authority revealed, “There were issues regarding missing requirements with the application, which were identified and pointed out. They are yet to respond to the issues.” This rejection poses a potential setback for Starlink, requiring them to address the identified concerns before gaining approval.
To operate in Botswana, entities like Starlink are obligated to pay an application fee of P5,600 and an annual license fee, which can go up to P386,000 (~$28,500), along with 3% of their annual operating revenue.
This recent regulatory hurdle is not the first for Starlink in Southern Africa. In South Africa, the government rejected its application due to a failure to comply with the mandatory 30% ownership requirement for historically disadvantaged individuals.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, based its rejection on an EU investigation into X, Elon Musk’s social media platform. Despite these challenges, Starlink has successfully obtained licenses in countries such as Zambia, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi, highlighting the complex landscape of regulatory approvals in the region.