Ghana has become the latest African country to warn against using Starlink satellite broadband services before SpaceX obtains a license. This move follows similar actions by South Africa and other African nations.

The National Communications Authority (NCA), Ghana’s telecoms regulator, cautioned the general public on December 7 against using services purported to be from Starlink following reports of equipment being sold and operated in the country.

“We wish to inform the general public that, the NCA has neither licensed the operations of Starlink in Ghana nor type-approved any of their equipment,” the NCA said in a news release.

While SpaceX only expects to launch Starlink commercially in Ghana in the third quarter of 2024, the company’s sprawling low Earth orbit network already covers the country and others that have yet to permit the services.

This action mirrors similar warnings issued by regulators in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Senegal.

Barely a month ago, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa said that Starlink products were being distributed in South Africa without a license from within the country and from neighboring countries. 

Those providing Starlink services in South Africa without permission could face a fine of around $264,000 or 10% of their annual turnover for every day the offense continued, whichever is greater, the regulator warned.

Starlink is cleared to operate elsewhere in Africa, including Nigeria and Mozambique, the first countries on the continent to approve the network last year.