Lesotho, Under Us Tariff Pressure, Grants Licence To Starlink

The licence granted to Starlink Lesotho will be valid for 10 years, the Lesotho Communications Authority LCA said in a statement.

The development comes as Lesotho seeks to engage with the US on reciprocal trade tariffs after it was hit with a 50 tariff, the highest levy on US President Donald Trumps list of target economies announced earlier this month but later said would temporarily be lowered.

The LCA said the landmark decision to grant a licence to Starlink marked a significant step forward in the countrys digital transformation and that it underscored the authoritys unwavering commitment to enabling a competitive, transparent and forward-looking communications sector that fuels economic growth and fosters innovation.

Trump on 5 March, in an address to the US congress referred to Lesotho as a country no one has heard of to laughs from his audience. Lesothos foreign minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, later said the remark was quite insulting.