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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, renewed his criticism of South Africa’s telecom rules, claiming they prevent his satellite Internet company, Starlink, from operating locally because he is not Black.
In a post on X, Musk said Starlink was denied an internet service provider license solely due to his skin color. He was responding to a 2025 Qatar Economic Forum interview in which he criticized laws giving preferential treatment based on race.
Business impact of race policies
“There should be a fair and even playing field,” Musk wrote. “The facts are there for anyone to observe. South Africa now has more anti-White laws than there were anti-Black laws under Apartheid.”
The rules Musk referenced are part of South Africa’s broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation. According to the Institute of Race Relations’ Index of Race Law, 145 race-based laws were active as of January 2025—more than at the peak of Apartheid.
David Ansara, CEO of the Free Market Foundation, said the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) is among the most morally questionable. The law requires employees to identify as Black African, Coloured, Indian/Asian, or White but provides no guidance on how employers should determine race. Sector-specific targets set by the minister can leave some racial or gender groups effectively barred from certain industries.
Starlink supports B-BBEE, challenges licensing rules
Starlink has expressed support for B-BBEE but objects to the telecom rule requiring 30 percent ownership by historically disadvantaged groups, including Black South Africans, women, youth, and people with disabilities.
The company has proposed equity equivalent investment programs (EEIPs) instead, allowing foreign firms to contribute to the economy through infrastructure, training, and community investment rather than direct ownership.
Starlink has pledged R500 million ($30.4 million) for free high-speed Internet and equipment to 5,000 rural schools and plans a total investment of R2 billion ($121.8 million) in South Africa. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has directed Icasa to align licensing regulations with amended B-BBEE ICT Sector Codes and the government’s inclusion policies.
“Only one step remains: Icasa must implement the directive,” Starlink said. “By correcting just four sentences in the regulations, Starlink could serve the entire country within weeks.” The company emphasized it is not seeking special treatment and will comply fully with B-BBEE rules once licensed.
Starlink expands across Africa
Starlink began African operations in 2022 and has expanded in Namibia, Cameroon, Lesotho, Somalia, and Congo as regulatory approvals were secured. Musk, whose net worth is $639 billion, has said Starlink will continue expanding wherever local regulations allow.
