Civic organizations say this is “sold out.”
The Lesotho Communications Authority has approved StarLink applications and provides satellite Internet services. The announcement comes amidst uncertainty over tariffs imposed on the country by US President Donald Trump. Civic Organization Section 2 states that this is “sold out.”
Lesotho succumbed to pressure and granted a 10-year license to Starlink Lesotho, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to operate its satellite internet network. This follows an announcement earlier this month by Prime Minister Samuel Matekane that his government will remove barriers to US investment in the midst of a tariff onslaught.
On April 2, US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho, which threatened employment of up to 12,000 people in factories exporting to the United States under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA). He later suspended the 50% tariff for 90 days. However, this still leaves behind a 10% tariff that came into effect on April 5th.
The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) announced on Monday that its board has approved a Starlink application to provide satellite internet services nationwide.
The LCA said this is a milestone in Lesotho’s digital transformation and its commitment to creating a competitive, transparent, innovative communications sector. “Acknowledgement of the operating license clears the path to eliminating Starlink Lesotho’s authority to finalize the terms and conditions for providing satellite internet services to individuals and businesses in Lesotho,” the LCA said in a statement.
Kananelo Noloetse, coordinator of Civic Organization Section 2, said the LCA decision was “betrayal.”
“Such actions can only be explained as betrayal – a shameful sell-out by a government that wants to place more and more willingness to the interests of foreign companies than the democratic will and long-term developmental needs of the people of Lesotho,” Borote said.
“At this critical time, Section 2 continues to seek this deep information about development, but we express our deep disappointment at the LCA’s decision to grant Starlink a license to operate a satellite network and provide internet services within the country.”
He said the decision “resonated with several key stakeholders in the communications sector despite well-documented opposition to Section 2, and raised serious and legitimate concerns.”
The main concern among those concerns is the fact that Starlink Lesotho is 100% foreign-owned. Boloetse argued that this should have weighed on the licensing process designed to protect national interests and promote comprehensive local participation.
“By moving forward with this decision, the LCA not only ignored the valid objections of local stakeholders, but also undermined the integrity and reliability of the regulatory process,” he said.
Existing telecom companies in Lesotho have considerable local ownership.
However, the LCA said all comments from the public consultations were shared with Starlink Lesotho “responding to each submission.” The authorities have since compiled a comprehensive report for the final deliberation by the board.
Speaking to Groundup last week, LCA Public Relations Manager Mothepane Kotele emphasized the importance of public participation. “The LCA has just finished reviewing the comments and is currently engaging with people who have contributed to understanding the context,” she said.
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However, Section 2 stated that it has not been consulted by the LCA after submitting formal opposition to the granting of the license. In response to further comment, Kotere did not answer questions.
Borozze also mentioned a report by an American publication that claimed that Lesotho authorities had given the US government an advance guarantee that Starlink would be licensed by April 15, 2025.
“This revelation exposes a deeply troubling lack of transparency and suggests that important decisions affecting our national communications infrastructure can be pre-determined and subject to foreign influence,” Borotze said. “It raises questions about the independence of the LCA and the commitment of our government to the principles of good governance and national sovereignty.”
