South Africa to Offer Starlink Deal Before Trump Meeting – Bloomberg Reports
Big moves ahead of high-stakes diplomacy.
Key Highlights:
• Starlink Could Soon Go Live in South Africa
– Govt proposes a workaround for local Black ownership laws to enable Elon Musk’s Starlink operations.
• "Last-Minute" Talks Underway
– High-level meeting set for Tuesday night between SA officials and Musk or his reps, according to Bloomberg.
• Strategic Timing
– SA President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, aiming to mend U.S.-SA relations.
• Licensing in Focus
– Starlink’s licensing is reportedly on the agenda during the diplomatic visit.
• Musk’s Previous Claim
– Musk said Starlink was barred due to him "not being Black" – a claim SA officials deny.
• Regulatory Twist
– The plan involves “equity equivalent” investments:
→ Skills development
→ Infrastructure
→ Support for small enterprises
• What It Means
– A new path forward that could boost ICT investment, close the digital divide, and still align with Black Economic Empowerment goals.
Stay tuned. This could be a game-changer for internet access in SA—and a pivotal moment in Musk's global Starlink rollout.