South Africans could soon have a new option for high-speed internet from space, with Amazon confirming that its satellite broadband service, Amazon Leo, will officially launch in the country in 2027.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the tech giant, making South Africa the first African nation to secure an agreement for Amazon’s satellite internet network. It also positions the company ahead of rival Starlink, which has yet to launch commercially in South Africa.
Amazon revealed on Wednesday that it has partnered with local internet provider Herotel to roll out the service. However, financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed, as reported by NBC News.
The deal was unveiled with the backing of the South African government, with Communications Minister Solly Malatsi joining representatives from Amazon and Herotel during the announcement.
The launch is expected to improve internet access, particularly in rural and underserved communities where traditional fibre and fixed-line infrastructure remains limited.
Satellite internet works differently from conventional broadband by connecting users through low-Earth-orbit satellites rather than underground cables or cellphone towers. This allows high-speed internet to reach areas where building physical infrastructure is difficult or too expensive.
Amazon only began deploying its satellite constellation last year, but has already placed more than 390 satellites into orbit. The service was previously known as Project Kuiper before being rebranded as Amazon Leo.
While Amazon is still building its network, Starlink has had a considerable head start. Elon Musk’s company launched its first operational satellites in 2019 and now operates a constellation of more than 10 000 satellites, offering services in around two dozen African countries.
However, South Africa remains absent from that list.
Musk has repeatedly criticised South Africa’s licensing rules, arguing they have prevented Starlink from entering the market. He has claimed the country’s regulations are discriminatory because they require foreign communications companies to meet local ownership requirements.
South Africa’s government has defended those policies, saying they are designed to promote economic inclusion after decades of apartheid, during which Black South Africans and other non-white communities were excluded from many business opportunities.
Under the country’s communications regulations, companies seeking licences in the sector are generally expected to comply with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements, including local ownership provisions.
Unlike Starlink, Amazon has chosen to move ahead under South Africa’s existing regulatory framework.
The South African agreement also signals the beginning of Amazon’s wider African expansion. The company said it will work with Vanu Inc., a Massachusetts-based telecommunications company that specialises in bringing connectivity to developing markets, as it expands satellite internet services across the continent.
The opportunity is substantial. Africa is home to more than 1.5 billion people, with millions living in remote areas where reliable internet access remains limited or unavailable.
Beyond Africa, Amazon Leo has already secured rollout agreements in countries including Australia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay.
For South Africans, the arrival of Amazon Leo could introduce fresh competition in the broadband market, offering consumers and businesses another alternative for fast, reliable internet when the service launches in 2027.
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