Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has lost the battle to use his close links to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to be the only high-speed satellite internet service provider, Starlink’s agent in the country after the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) confirmed it has issued several licences to different operators.
Chivayo’s IMC Communications was unprocedurally and unlawfully given a licence by Mnangagwa through a presidential order without following the Potraz Act.
This violated the law which clearly provides for licensing procedures and related issues.
Potraz, the licensing authority, said none of the licensed service providers, including Chivayo’s, have exclusivity rights to partner with global satellite internet giant, Starlink, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to 80 countries globally.
The service is owned by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.
Musk’s Starlink broadband service is struggling to expand in Africa due to regulatory obstacles.
It is not even yet available in his own country of origin, South Africa.
Potraz confirmed it has issued a licence to Chivayo IMC, but his bid to be the only service provider failed. Mnangagwa in May gave Chivayo exclusive rights, but Potraz changed that amid his own family’s reported interest.
This came amid reports Mnangagwa’s son wants to be involved as one of the Starlink internet service providers.
This scramble for Stralink has sparked a tender row between Chivayo and competitors.
Chivayo is currently minting money through tenders with the state and its institutions.
Starlink has established a foothold in several other African countries including Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Mauritius, Sierra Leone and Kenya, among others.
