Elon Musk’s SpaceX is pushing South Africa to reconsider its Black ownership requirements for telecom operators, proposing an equity-equivalent program as an alternative. The company argues that allowing investments in infrastructure, digital inclusion, and education initiatives—rather than direct 30% Black ownership—would encourage broader industry participation while still supporting empowerment goals. Starlink has offered to connect 5,000 rural schools and 2.4 million students for free as part of its proposal. South Africa’s government is reviewing the request, which mirrors exemptions granted to automakers in 2019. The debate comes as the country works toward universal broadband access by 2030, with Starlink’s satellite technology potentially bridging connectivity gaps in underserved rural areas.
Bloomberg
