The Zimbabwean government has approved an application by global satellite internet provider Starlink for a licence to operate in the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Saturday.
In a post on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), Mnangagwa said he had approved the recommendation by the Postal and Telecommunications Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to award a licence to Starlink to operate in the country.
“I’m pleased to announce that I have approved the licensing of Starlink by POTRAZ to provide advanced internet and related digital processing services in Zimbabwe through its sole and exclusive local partner, IMC Communications (Pvt) Ltd,” Mnangagwa said.
Starlink is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operator wholly owned by global conglomerate Space X led by American billionaire Elon Musk.
The entry by Starlink in the digital telecommunications space in Zimbabwe is expected to result in the deployment of high speed, low cost, LEO internet infrastructure throughout Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas.
“This will be in fulfilment of my Administration’s undertaking to leave no one and no place behind,” Mnangagwa said.
POTRAZ announced last month that SpaceX had lodged an application with the regulator for a licence to legally operate in the southern African country.
JN/APA