AS we follow developments in space exploration, a significant event occurred earlier this month.
Elon Musk revealed that SpaceX, his space company, had merged with his artificial intelligence company, xAI, marking a major shift in the global business landscape.
Reports indicate that the new company is valued at well over a trillion United States dollars, ranking it among the most significant business developments in recent times.
Much of the global media attention is on the anticipated SpaceX stock market debut later this year.
However, for Zimbabwean businesses, farmers, miners and entrepreneurs, the real story goes beyond just the share price — it is about how this technology could transform their industries on the ground.
This merger points toward a future where more internet access, artificial intelligence and computing power could be delivered directly from space.
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Cables, towers and even local power may still matter, but they may no longer be the only way to connect and compute.
Why this matters to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has long struggled with infrastructure challenges.
Internet services are often slow or unreliable. Power cuts disrupt business operations. Data centres are expensive to build and difficult to maintain. For many businesses, growth is not limited by ideas or markets, but by weak systems.
By combining SpaceX with xAI, Musk wants to shift more AI computing into space‑based data centres that work together with satellites powered by the sun.
These systems are delivered through Starlink, which already provides internet access in many remote areas in other countries and is now licensed to operate in Zimbabwe through a local partner.
For a small business in Mutare, a farm in Mazowe, or a mine in the Great Dyke, this could mean something powerful: advanced digital services without the need for expensive local infrastructure.
If you run a business, it is a signal that the way you connect and use technology may change faster than expected.
Cutting out the middle problems
Traditionally, a business needs several things to use advanced technology. It needs stable electricity, fast internet, servers and technical support.
Each of these comes with costs and risks. With space‑linked AI, many of these steps could be reduced.
A farmer could receive AI advice on crop health without owning powerful computers.
A logistics company could optimise routes without hosting its own systems. A small manufacturer could analyse market trends without relying on expensive consultants.
In simple terms, intelligence is no longer stored only in a building. It could float above us.
For Zimbabwean businesses, this lowers the cost of entry into the digital economy and allows smaller players to compete in ways that were once only possible for large corporations.
A new challenge
This change also creates pressure for local internet companies. Providers such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies and TelOne have invested heavily in ground‑based networks.
Starlink does not rely on fibre cables or cell towers. It offers direct satellite access.
The challenge for local providers is that SpaceX may soon offer more than internet. It may offer internet, computing power and artificial intelligence as one package.
At the same time, Starlink’s licence in Zimbabwe requires it to work through a local partner, so in the early years it may complement, rather than immediately replace, local fibre and mobile networks. Zimbabwean businesses may benefit from better services, but the local telecom sector will need to adapt quickly, build partnerships, and offer new value if it wants to avoid being left behind.
Real benefits for farming and mining
Agriculture remains central to Zimbabwe’s economy. AI‑powered satellites can already monitor soil moisture, rainfall patterns, pests and crop health in many parts of the world.
This allows farmers to make faster and better decisions. Instead of guessing when to irrigate or fertilise, farmers can receive clear guidance.
This reduces waste, saves money and improves yields. If you run a farm, a simple first step is to ask your buyers, agronomists, or banks whether they offer any satellite‑based crop monitoring services you can test on a small part of your land.
In mining, satellite‑linked AI can analyse land from orbit to help identify likely mineral deposits.
This reduces the need for expensive and risky exploration. For Zimbabwe, rich in lithium and platinum, this could speed up projects and attract new investment.
Business costs, exclusion
Despite the promise, there are risks that businesses must consider. In the early years, advanced AI services may not be cheap.
Large companies will likely be the first users. Small businesses and informal traders could be left behind if access costs remain high. There is also the risk of over‑dependence.
If a business builds its entire operation on one foreign platform, it becomes vulnerable to price changes, service interruptions, or policy decisions made far away.
The safer path is to treat Starlink and space‑based AI as one part of your toolkit, not the whole toolkit.
Whenever possible, design your systems so that you can switch suppliers, use more than one cloud or fall back to local services if there is a problem.
Tax, rules and data control
Zimbabwe introduced a 15% digital services withholding tax in January 2026 to ensure global technology companies contribute locally.
In practice, Zimbabwe already collects similar charges on many foreign digital services, often through banks and payment providers when local customers pay global platforms.
But taxing services delivered from space is not straightforward. If a Zimbabwean business uses AI processed in orbit, powered by solar energy, and owned by a foreign company, where is value created?
This uncertainty affects pricing, compliance and planning. There is also a question of data control. As more of Zimbabwe’s business activity moves into foreign‑owned clouds and possibly space‑based centres, issues of data sovereignty, privacy and national security become more important.
A space‑based business future
As SpaceX moves closer to a major public listing, Zimbabwean businesses should not ignore what is happening. This is not science fiction. It is a shift in how services are delivered.
Businesses that understand these tools early will gain an advantage. Those that wait may struggle to catch up.
At the same time, Zimbabwe must protect local innovation, support small enterprises and avoid placing all its digital needs into one system.
The future of business may be written in the stars, but how Zimbabwe participates will be decided here on the ground.
Bangure is a filmmaker with a media degree and substantial experience in media production and management. He previously served as the chairperson of the National Employment Council for the Printing, Packaging, and Newspaper Industry. A dedicated enthusiast and scholar of artificial intelligence, Bangure combines his creative and technical skills to delve into innovative advancements. — info@hub-edutech.com.