Elon Musk’s Starlink is in discussions with the South African government to bring its satellite internet service to Africa’s most developed economy, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Musk, born in South Africa and currently the world’s richest person, has been in talks with Ramaphosa about potential investments in the country. The president expressed his desire for Musk to invest in his homeland, saying, “I’ve told him, Elon, you’ve become so successful and are investing in many countries, I want you to come home and invest here.” Further discussions between Musk and Ramaphosa are planned.
Starlink, which has already launched in 16 African nations including Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana, approached the South African government regarding its services. However, it is currently awaiting regulatory approval to begin operations in South Africa. Musk acknowledged this in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the service is ready but awaiting local clearance.
Starlink offers high-speed broadband internet via a network of approximately 5,500 satellites deployed by SpaceX since 2019. The service has amassed 2.6 million users globally, yet remains absent in several major economies, including Taiwan, due to local regulations. In South Africa, businesses must meet Black ownership requirements to address the inequalities of apartheid, though alternative arrangements can be discussed with the government.
Additionally, Starlink secured a significant deal with United Airlines, becoming the first major U.S. carrier to utilize the satellite system for its inflight Wi-Fi. This partnership marks a major win for Musk’s company, expanding its reach into the aviation industry.
