Harare – The race for Zimbabwean internet dominance has taken a dramatic turn, with the controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s bid to be the sole agent for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service facing a major setback. The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has confirmed that it has issued multiple licences to various operators, effectively ending Chivayo’s attempt to secure exclusivity through his company, IMC Communications.
Chivayo, a controversial figure known for his close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, had previously received a licence through a presidential order, bypassing the usual Potraz procedures. This move, however, drew immediate criticism for its blatant disregard of the law, which clearly outlines licensing processes and regulations.
“None of the licensed service providers, including Chivayo’s, have exclusivity rights to partner with global satellite internet giant, Starlink,” Potraz stated, emphasizing that the regulatory body is committed to fostering a competitive market.
This revelation comes amidst reports that Mnangagwa’s son is also seeking to enter the Starlink market, adding a family-related twist to the already heated competition. The scramble for Starlink’s high-speed internet services has ignited a tender war between Chivayo and his competitors, with allegations of unfair advantages and political influence swirling in the background.
Chivayo, who has become synonymous with lucrative government tenders, recently found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. His Instagram account was reportedly hacked, exposing alleged private chats with numerous women, including married individuals. However, despite this scandal, the businessman quickly regained control of his account and celebrated a business milestone, sharing a collage of himself alongside Elon Musk.
“Always moving from strength to strength against all odds…” he declared on his social media platform.
This celebratory post came just a day after Potraz announced that IMC Communications had received approval to provide internet services in Zimbabwe through a partnership with Starlink. While this approval was initially seen as a major victory for Chivayo, Potraz has clarified that the licence is not yet finalized and will not grant exclusivity rights.
“While it is correct that the regulator has approved IMC’s application for an ISP licence, Potraz is yet to grant the licence document given that there are still some outstanding processes to be completed,” Potraz explained.
The regulator has also emphasized that it has issued numerous ISP licences to both existing and prospective operators, including companies like DFA Zimbabwe, ZOL, Utande, Powertel, Liquid Intelligent and TelOne.
“None of the applicants, issued or already operating, holds a licence with sole or exclusivity rights for any internet services because that would violate the country’s competition laws,” Potraz Director-General Dr Gift Machengete stated.
“An ISP licence is an internet service provider’s licence. Several others already have the licences,” he added.
The entry of Starlink into Zimbabwe’s digital landscape is expected to have a significant impact on the industry, potentially revolutionizing internet access and significantly reducing costs. Affordable internet has become a vital necessity in today’s digital world, and the government has recognized the importance of a robust ICT infrastructure for economic growth.
“Access to and use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) should become pervasive in all facets of life leading to digitalisation of the economy as envisioned by the National Development Strategy (NDS1),” the government has stated.
Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency services are particularly relevant in Zimbabwe, where many rural areas lack reliable internet connectivity. The company, which currently provides coverage to over 80 countries, is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operator owned by SpaceX, the brainchild of billionaire Elon Musk.
The Starlink scramble in Zimbabwe has exposed the complexities of the country’s digital landscape, highlighting the interplay of political influence, business interests, and regulatory oversight.
