Elon Musk accuses South Africa of blocking Starlink license

INTERNATIONAL, 12 April 2026 (NPA) — Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has accused his country of birth, South Africa, of denying Starlink a license to operate, alleging corruption and racial discrimination in the process.

In a post on his X account, the word’s richest man claimed that South African regulators refused to grant Starlink approval “simply because I am not Black.” He alleged that officials repeatedly offered Starlink the chance to secure a license by bribing or misrepresenting its ownership structure to appear Black‑run, but said he refused to comply “on principle.” 

Musk added: “Racism should not be rewarded, no matter to which race it is applied. Shame on the racist politicians in South Africa. They should be shown no respect whatsoever anywhere in the world.”

The South African government has defended its position, citing the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) framework, which requires local participation in telecommunications licensing. Officials argue that the rules are designed to ensure equity and inclusion in the economy. The confrontation escalated after Musk publicly attacked Clayson Monyela, head of public diplomacy, accusing him of racism for defending the regulatory framework.

The dispute carries wider implications: without approval, Starlink cannot legally operate in South Africa, limiting its expansion in a market where rural connectivity is urgently needed. Musk’s accusations have sparked debate over whether South Africa’s equity policies discourage foreign investment, while his public attacks risk straining diplomatic relations. The government insists its rules are necessary for fairness, but Musk’s claims have turned the issue into a global controversy over governance, inclusion, and the balance between attracting technology investment and enforcing local participation laws.