Zimbabwe has granted Elon Musk-owned internet service provider (ISP) Starlink, a license to operate in the Southern African country.
This was disclosed by Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said the approval of the satellite internet is expected to result in the deployment of high-speed, low-cost, LEO (low-Earth-Orbit) Internet infrastructure throughout the country, particularly in all the rural areas.
He further noted that Starlink will provide services through its sole and exclusive local partner, IMC Communications.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 15 (Sept 9 – Dec 7, 2024) has started registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
In his words,
“I’m pleased to announce that I have approved the licensing of Starlink by POTRAZ to provide advanced internet and related digital processing services in Zimbabwe through its sole and exclusive local partner, IMC Communications (Pvt) Ltd.
“The entry by Starlink in the digital telecommunications space in Zimbabwe is expected to result in the deployment of high speed, low cost, LEO internet infrastructure throughout Zimbabwe and particularly in all the rural areas. This will be in fulfillment of my Administration’s undertaking to leave no one and no place behind”.
The approval of Starlink marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to enhance its digital infrastructure and expand high-speed internet access across its regions.
The Southern African country becomes the eighth African nation to authorize Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide satellite internet services. It joins the likes of African countries such as Rwanda, Benin, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi.
It is worth noting that the approval of Starlink in Zimbabwe is coming after an initial ban by the government. Recall that in 2023, POTRAZ, the nation’s telecom regulator, issued a statement warning to Zimbabweans against the use of Starlink which they described as illegal.
The Starlink device has been illegal in Zimbabwe since when the telecommunications authority announced plans to arrest individuals and businesses found distributing and advertising the device.
Coming under pressure from the market to explain why the internet service provider was illegal to use, POTRAZ said they had no issues licensing Starlink as long as the company complied with the country’s laws – read fees, taxes, and the ability for the government to snoop on the traffic or disable the service at wish if the politics demanded it.
It is understood that Licensed operators in the country pay these costs (part of why the internet is so expensive in Zimbabwe) and allow the government to intercept the internet when it wishes.
POTRAZ repeated that while Starlink had expressed interest in regularising operations in Zimbabwe, the company had not been licensed.
Last month, Starlink‘s operation was suspended until it obtained licensing approval from the country’s telecommunications regulator. To operate in the southern African country, the regulator proposed two options: the company can either apply directly for a license or collaborate with a registered public network within the country to offer its services.