Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, has finally launched in Zimbabwe, but the journey to get there was far from smooth. The company’s global licensing and market activation director, Ryan Goodnight, revealed that obtaining an operating licence was a “difficult and complex” process, highlighting the country’s bureaucratic hurdles that often stifle innovation and progress. Goodnight, in a post on X, expressed his team’s perseverance in navigating the complex regulatory framework.
A senior official from the Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services ministry confirmed the licensing process was “complicated and cumbersome”, citing outdated regulations and the need for multiple clearances from different ministries. Adding to the challenge was government concern over Starlink’s potential to disrupt the local telecommunications market. Zimbabwe’s telecoms industry is dominated by a few key players, and Starlink’s low-cost, high-speed internet service poses a threat to existing monopolies.
Further delays arose from national security concerns. Some officials feared that Starlink’s satellite network, providing internet coverage across the entire country, could lead to issues related to data sovereignty and control over Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure. Despite these hurdles, Starlink is now available in Zimbabwe, becoming the 14th African country to receive the service.
The company offers two packages: a standard package w.