Strong opposition to Lesotho Starlink licence

Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane on Wednesday announced that his government was actively removing barriers for US companies to operate in the country – including satellite internet provider Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, despite the local opposition to the project, reports GroundUp. This follows an announcement in February by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) confirming receipt of Starlink Lesotho application for a Network Services Licence. But the bid has sparked strong local opposition. Vodacom Lesotho managing director Mohale Ralebitso raised concerns during an LCA public consultation, arguing that Starlink should establish local shareholding before receiving a licence. A local organisation, Advocates for the Supremacy of the Constitution, commonly known as Section Two, echoed those concerns in its formal submission to the LCA. Its secretary-general Tjatjapa Sekabi pointed to existing telecom players as examples of how foreign investment can coexist with national interests. By contrast, Starlink Lesotho’s submitted documents indicate that all 1 000 shares are owned by Starlink Holdings Netherlands BV, a foreign entity based in Amsterdam, with all registered directors being US citizens,’ Sekabi said.

Section Two co-ordinator Kananelo Boloetse warned the government not to prioritise its relationship with the Trump administration at the expense of regional ties. He warned that SA has already rejected Starlink’s licence application over concerns about its foreign ownership. Approving the same licence in Lesotho, he argued, could strain diplomatic relations with Pretoria, especially if the move appears to be driven by attempts to appease Musk and Donald Trump. But Lesotho is under pressure from the US. On 2 February, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho – the highest among all affected countries – threatening up to 12 000 jobs in factories that export to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. On Wednesday, Trump paused the 50% tariff for 90 days. But this still leaves in place the 10% tariff that came into effect on 4 April, according to GroundUp. Matekane said his government has been lobbying for tariff relief and the reinstatement of development aid. He positioned Starlink’s licence as part of broader efforts to attract US investment.

Full GroundUp report