South Africa Eases Affirmative Action Regulations on Starlink that Musk Said Were Racist

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Dec. 12, 2025 (AP) — South Africa's communications minister ordered a policy change Friday that allows Elon Musk's Starlink and other foreign-owned satellite internet providers to operate in the country without selling 30% of their local equity to Black or other non-white owners.

The policy change published in a government gazette allows foreign companies seeking licenses to operate in South Africa's communications sector to instead invest in “equity equivalent” programs to meet affirmative action criteria, like skills training or other means of supporting previously disadvantaged groups.

That option is also available for foreign-owned companies in other sectors in South Africa.