Elon Musk Slams South Africa Over Starlink Ban, Calls Policy ‘Racist’

Elon Musk Slams South Africa Over Starlink Ban, Calls Policy ‘Racist’

Elon Musk has escalated his criticism of South Africa, accusing the government of racial discrimination following the continued refusal to grant an operating licence to his satellite internet service, Starlink.

In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the SpaceX founder claimed that Starlink’s application had been blocked because he is not Black, despite being born in South Africa. The billionaire further alleged that the company was informally offered a workaround involving the appointment of a Black executive to satisfy ownership requirements, a move he said he rejected on principle.

The controversy centres on South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy, which requires companies operating in sectors like telecommunications to meet equity thresholds, typically mandating at least 30 percent Black ownership. The policy was introduced to correct deep economic imbalances created during apartheid, but it has increasingly become a point of friction for foreign investors.

South African regulators, including the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, have consistently maintained that the rules apply uniformly to all operators and are a legal requirement for licensing. Authorities have pushed back against claims of discrimination, insisting that the policy is aimed at economic redress rather than racial exclusion.

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Musk has repeatedly criticised the framework, describing it as “unashamedly racist” and claiming that such policies contradict the legacy of Nelson Mandela. He has also alleged that numerous laws in the country unfairly disadvantage non-Black citizens, further fuelling the ongoing debate.

Despite the standoff, Starlink has continued its rapid expansion across Africa, now operating in nearly two dozen countries where it provides high-speed internet access to underserved communities, including schools and healthcare centres. South Africa, however, remains one of the few major economies on the continent where the service is unavailable.

Musk had previously proposed initiatives to support connectivity in rural South African communities, including offers to provide internet access to thousands of schools, but those plans have stalled due to regulatory hurdles tied to ownership compliance.

As of now, the South African government has not issued an official response to Musk’s latest remarks. However, previous statements suggest that there is unlikely to be any regulatory concession without full adherence to B-BBEE requirements.

The dispute highlights a broader tension between South Africa’s post-apartheid transformation policies and the expectations of global technology investors. Analysts say the outcome could shape future investment decisions and influence how African nations balance economic redress with the need to attract international business.

Elon Musk Slams South Africa Over Starlink Ban, Calls Policy ‘Racist’