Starlink , the U.S.-based satellite internet provider owned by SpaceX, has added a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment B-BBEE partner to its bid to operate in South Africa. The move aligns with national empowerment laws and follows plans to invest R500 million in providing free high-speed internet to 5,000 schools, reaching 2.4 million learners, along with a further R2 billion for local infrastructure.
The company aims to implement an Equity Equivalent Investment Programme EEIP similar to those used by other global tech firms, allowing foreign companies to meet empowerment requirements through socio-economic investment rather than equity transfer.
Starlink's approval has been delayed by regulatory misalignment between the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ICASA and existing B-BBEE legislation. Once resolved, the company intends to launch operations focused on connecting rural and underserved communities to high-speed broadband across the country.
