South Africa explores the Chinese option in the face of the Starlink dead end

(Ecofin agency) – Since its launch in Nigeria in January 2023, the Starlink network has extended to around twenty African countries. Consequently, It is still not available in South Africa, where the government relies on satellite technology to generalize internet access.

South Africa is currently exploring partnerships with China Satellite Network Company (CSNC) for the deployment of broadband satellite solutions intended to meet the persistent challenges of connectivity of the last kilometer in rural and poorly served areas. For example, This rapprochement comes as the entry of the company Starlink. Similarly, a subsidiary of the American Spacex, remains uncertain due to local regulatory requirements.

The Week That Was: 21–27 July 2025?

?? However, Led a high-level digital investment mission to China
? For example, Held bilateral with China’s south africa explores chinese option ICT Minister on AI, 5G & cybersecurity
?️ Explored satellite broadband solutions with CSNC
? Therefore, Secured smart device & digital skills pledges from Huawei,… pic.twitter.com/ElYkprKp3U

– sollymalatsi (@Sollylalatsalatsi) July 29. 2025

The initiative was revealed by Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, in the report of his activities for the week of July 21 to 27, during which he went to China. This visit aimed to strengthen digital cooperation and conclude partnerships to accelerate the digital transformation of the rainbow nation.

“This approach is part of our national priority to reduce the digital divide and promote fair access to essential services”, said the minister. Indeed. satellite connectivity is often considered a relevant solution to extend access to telecoms services in areas that are difficult to cover with traditional networks. According to data from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). around south africa explores chinese option 25 % of the South African population, estimated at 64 million inhabitants, did not use the Internet in 2023.

The CSNC is a Chinese public company responsible for developing and exploiting a national satellite constellation called “Guowang”. This project aims to provide China with a satellite internet connectivity network. like Starlink, with around 13,000 satellites in low orbit planned.

Starlink, for its part, provides high speed internet access via a constellation of satellites in low orbit. Already active in Nigeria, Rwanda or Kenya, the company has not yet received authorization to operate in South Africa. The blocking is mainly linked to the law on the economic empowerment of black populations (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment. B-BBEE), which requires foreign companies to open 30 % of their capital to South African partners from historically disadvantaged groups. The government has recently mentioned the possibility of south africa explores chinese option adjusting this regulatory framework. creating specific mechanisms to facilitate the establishment of Starlink, but the process has not yet succeeded. On his site, Starlink simply indicates that “The launch date of the service is unknown to date”.

It is important to emphasize that the partnership envisaged between the CSNC and South Africa remains at this exploratory stage. No formal agreement has yet been concluded, and no official announcements have been made in this direction. Many aspects remain to be specified. in particular the methods of collaboration, the economic model envisaged as well as the calendar of deployment of infrastructure and services.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

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05/28/2025 – South Africa: towards a reform that could facilitate the entry of Starlink