South Africa moves to change empowerment law for Elon Musk’s Starlink - Financial Times

South Africa is undertaking a significant reassessment of its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements, with policymakers considering modifications that would accommodate Elon Musk's Starlink and potentially other foreign-controlled telecommunications infrastructure providers. This development represents a consequential shift in how the nation balances its transformative economic policies with the practical demands of expanding broadband connectivity to underserved populations. The BEE framework, established in the post-apartheid era, mandates that qualifying businesses maintain specified levels of black ownership and control. For telecommunications licenses and infrastructure projects, these thresholds have traditionally been non-negotiable, creating a structural barrier for international operators seeking to establish operations in Africa's most developed economy. Starlink's satellite internet service, which requires minimal ground infrastructure compared to traditional fiber or cellular networks, presents a novel challenge to regulators accustomed to conventional telecom business models. The rationale driving this policy reconsideration centers on connectivity gaps that persist despite decades of BEE implementation. South Africa's rural and township populations remain significantly underserved, with fixed-line broadband penetration lagging regional peers and leaving approximately 40% of the population without reliable internet access. Satellite-based solutions offer a theoretically rapid deployment pathway that could bypass the lengthy infrastructure buildout required for terrestrial networks. For government planners, the