South Africa’s communications minister recently ordered a policy change that allows Elon Musk’s Starlink and other foreign-owned satellite internet providers to operate in the country without selling 30% of their local equity to Black or other non-white owners.
The policy change published in a government gazette allows foreign companies seeking licenses to operate in South Africa’s communications sector to instead invest in “equity equivalent” programs to meet affirmative action criteria, like skills training or other means of supporting previously disadvantaged groups.
The option is also available for foreign-owned companies in other sectors in South Africa.
Musk, who was born in South Africa, had earlier accused his home country of having “openly racist ownership laws” by requiring at least 30% local ownership by Black or other races that were denied opportunities under South Africa’s apartheid system of white minority rule.
"This new policy directive will assist Starlink to accelerate high-speed internet access for rural and underserved communities in South Africa," Minister Solly Malatsi said.