Amazon announced plans to launch its satellite internet service, Amazon Leo, in South Africa in 2027, marking its first such agreement on the African continent. The company revealed on Wednesday that it would collaborate with South African internet provider Herotel to introduce the service to the country, which has a population of approximately 62 million. This move positions Amazon to enter South Africa’s satellite internet market potentially ahead of Starlink, the service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Amazon did not disclose financial terms related to the partnership. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions involving Starlink’s efforts to enter the South African market. Elon Musk has publicly criticized the South African government, alleging that regulations—specifically affirmative action policies designed to promote economic participation for Black and other non-white South Africans—have prevented Starlink from obtaining the necessary licenses. Musk contends these rules amount to racial discrimination against him as a white entrepreneur.
South Africa’s affirmative action framework requires foreign companies in the communications sector to allocate a minority ownership stake to Black or other designated groups to receive operational licenses. These policies aim to rectify historical inequalities stemming from apartheid-era discrimination. The South African government has expressed support for Amazon’s entry into the satellite internet market, with Communications Minister Solly Malatsi attending the announcement alongside representatives from Amazon and Herotel.
Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, involves a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites intended to deliver high-speed internet access, particularly to underserved and rural locations. The company launched its first satellites last year and currently operates over 390 units in orbit. By comparison, Starlink launched its initial satellites in 2019 and now has a constellation exceeding 10,000 satellites. While Starlink has launched services across roughly two dozen African nations, it has yet to comply with South Africa’s ownership regulations.
Amazon indicated that its South African partnership would be a gateway for broader expansion into Africa. The company plans to collaborate with Vanu Inc., a U.S.-based firm specializing in mobile internet for developing regions, as part of its continental rollout strategy.
The satellite internet sector addresses a significant need across Africa, a continent where more than 1.5 billion people often lack access to reliable fixed-line internet due to geographical and infrastructural challenges. In addition to South Africa, Amazon has announced agreements to deploy Amazon Leo services in countries including Thailand, Kazakhstan, Australia, and several in Latin America.
While Starlink maintains a lead in global reach—with operations in over 160 countries—Amazon’s entry into South Africa represents a notable expansion of competition in one of Africa’s most advanced economies. Both companies aim to capitalize on the growing demand for connectivity in regions underserved by traditional internet infrastructure.