Lesotho granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a 10-year license to operate its satellite network in the tiny southern African mountain kingdom as it seeks to improve ties with the US.

The decision marks a significant step forward in the country’s digital transformation and seeks to create a competitive, transparent and forward-looking communication sector that fuels economic growth and fosters innovation, the Lesotho Communications Authority said in a statement Monday.

US President Donald Trump earlier this month slapped a 50% reciprocal tariff on Lesotho — one of the world’s highest — before pausing the duty for 90-days while keeping a 10% levy.

Lesotho, bordered by South Africa, exported $364 million more to the US than it imported in 2022. The nation sells diamonds and apparel to the world’s biggest economy, data published by the South Africa-based Tralac Trade Law Centre shows.

Its garment industry has made jeans for US brands such as Levi Strauss & Co. The tariffs threaten to hurt jobs and economic growth.

Prime Minister Sam Matekanesaid last week the nation, among the world’s poorest, would take several steps to avert or soften the impact of the tariffs such as engaging US policymakers for transitional tariff relief and actively removing obstacles to US investment including for Starlink.

Somalia, which is also trying to strengthen its relations with the US awarded a license to Starlink on Sunday.