Starlink, SpaceX’s Satellite Internet Service is pushing for changes to South Africa’s equality rules which it says blocks the company from operating in Africa’s most industrialised economy.  

South Africa requires companies in some sectors to have at least 30% Black ownership. These laws were introduced after the end of apartheid and they compelled companies in industries including banking, mining and telecommunications to sell stakes to Black people who were systematically excluded from the economy during White-minority rule, but now the governing coalition is split on whether to change this law. 

On this week’s episode - Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Senior Technology Reporter Loni Prinsloo and reporter Rivaldo Jantjies, on how Starlink has been growing across Africa, why South Africa is so important to the company, and how likely it is that rules could change.

Read our latest reporting on Starlink and South Africa here, and for more stories from the region subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

Starlink, SpaceX&rsquo;s Satellite Internet Service is pushing for changes to South Africa&rsquo;s equality rules which it says blocks the company from operating in Africa&rsquo;s most industrialised economy. &nbsp;
South Africa requires companies in some sectors to have at least 30% Black ownership. These laws were introduced after the end of apartheid and they compelled companies in industries including banking, mining and telecommunications to sell stakes to Black people who were systematically excluded from the economy during White-minority rule, but now the governing coalition is split on whether to change this law.&nbsp;
On this week&rsquo;s episode - Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg&rsquo;s Senior Technology Reporter Loni Prinsloo and reporter Rivaldo Jantjies, on how Starlink has been growing across Africa, why South Africa is so important to the company, and how likely it is that rules could change.
Read our latest reporting on Starlink and South Africa <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-15/musk-row-shows-gap-with-ramaphosa-in-south-africa-equity-rules?srnd=homepage-africa">here</a>, and for more stories from the region subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">here</a>

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the business stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent. 

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the business stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent.

Inside the stories shaping the world’s fastest-growing continent.

Next Africa

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.

Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.

The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.

Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without cliché or assumption.

Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.
Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.
The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.
Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without clich&eacute; or assumption.
Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Why Starlink Is Dividing South Africa

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/215f18b7-40f0-4ff9-8387-b42f009dec80/transcript