Namibia, Starlink, and the new battle for digital sovereignty in Africa
CRAN reaffirmed its decision to reject Starlink’s licence application, finding that the company did not satisfy Namibia’s statutory ownership requirements.
Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar)
When connectivity meets sovereignty
CRAN reaffirmed its decision to reject Starlink’s licence application, finding that the company did not satisfy Namibia’s statutory ownership requirements.
The regulator dismissed all appeals and requests for reconsideration, citing procedural shortcomings, the absence of new evidence, and failure to meet prescribed deadlines.
It emphasized that technological innovation must operate within the framework of the law and concluded that no legal grounds existed to reverse its original ruling.
Several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Mozambique, have authorized Starlink’s operations in pursuit of greater digital connectivity and economic development.
