ED give thumbs up to Elon Musk’s Starlink

 

MOSES MATENGA

 

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has given the greenlight to South African born billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink to start operating in Zimbabwe.

 

In a terse statement on Musk’s X platform, formerly Twitter, Mnangagwa said one of the strategic pillars that anchor his government’s developmental agenda under Vision 2030 is innovation, science and technology hence his decision to approve the licensing of Starlink by Potraz.

 

“Prioritization of the digital economy and the emerging importance of technology in our day to day activities requires Government to lead from the front in providing an environment where investment in technology is promoted,” he said.

 

“In this vein, 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.

Starlink is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite operator wholly owned by global conglomerate Space X led by promiment multi-billionaire (Elon) Musk.”

 

He added: “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 and particularly in all the rural areas. This will be in fulfillment of my Administration’s undertaking to leave no one and no place behind.”

 

Mnangagwa added the investment confidence expressed by Starlink in Zimbabwe’s telecommunications infrastructure also dovetails with the second Republic’s mantra, “Zimbabwe is open for business.”

 

“I encourage more investment by foreign conglomerates in Zimbabwe as we are an investment destination of choice. I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, to congratulate IMC Communications (Pvt) Ltd and Starlink on this commendable milestone aimed at revolutionizing the digital and communications technology landscape in Zimbabwe. Investments of this magnitude and strategic importance represent the cornerstone for achieving the 2nd Republic’s objective of having a fully digitalized, upper-middle income economy by 2030.”

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