South Africa may bend telecom rules for Elon Musk’s Starlink
South Africa is preparing to grant Starlink a special exemption from Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements. The government is exploring an 'equity equivalent' programme to facilitate Starlink's entry without requiring equity transfer.
Starlink’s South Africa future still uncertain after Ramaphosa–Trump–Musk talks
President Cyril Ramaphosa, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk held a high-stakes meeting regarding Starlink's operations in South Africa. ICASA stated that Starlink has not yet applied for a license to operate in South Africa.
South Africa considers BEE workaround to clear Starlink’s path to launch
South Africa is poised to adjust its BEE regulations to facilitate Starlink's entry into the country. The proposed changes will allow multinational ICT companies to meet BEE requirements through equity-equivalent investments.
MTN discloses cyberattack impacting customer data in select markets
MTN Group detected malware on its systems during a cyberattack on April 19, 2025. The breach has impacted customer data in select markets, including Nigeria.
30% black ownership: Vodacom backs Starlink ban in South Africa
Vodacom supports ICASA's decision to prevent Starlink from operating in South Africa. The enforcement of BEE laws mandates at least 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged South Africans for telecom licenses.
