Amazon is gearing up to launch its satellite internet service in South Africa, following regulatory approval in Nigeria, South African tech publication ITWeb reports. The rollout is expected later in 2026.
Regulatory update and ICASA engagement
ITWeb quoted Helen Kyeyune, Amazon Leo’s head of regulatory affairs and licensing for sub-Saharan Africa, during public hearings hosted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The hearings formed part of consultations on the second draft of the 2025 National Radio Frequency Plan.
Service model and rollout approach
Kyeyune said Amazon Leo plans to expand internet access in South Africa by providing satellite backhaul capacity to local internet service providers. Instead of selling directly to consumers, the company will work through domestic partners who will deliver services to end users. “We are partnering with local partners to provide the network and service. The local partners will own the customer and will be responsible for that, in a regulatory manner,” she said. Amazon, she added, will work with ICASA to secure approval for spectrum and other resources in a way that supports partner-led service delivery.
In its early stages, Amazon’s standing differs from Starlink’s approach, which targets customers directly through dedicated terminals. Amazon Leo still plans to offer customer equipment that works in a similar way. Kyeyune said the company will start with a commercial beta that serves a limited number of customers. Amazon will expand the rollout as it launches more satellites and increases network coverage and capacity. The company has already signed an agreement to support Vodacom in improving and extending network coverage in South Africa and other African markets.
Licensing requirements and market demand
Amazon’s partner-led strategy may also reflect South Africa’s regulatory environment, especially rules on licensing, spectrum allocation, and local ownership. Starlink has not launched in South Africa, even though it has operated on the continent since January 2023 and now serves around 25 African countries. In Southern Africa, Starlink already operates in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, and eSwatini.
South Africa’s regulations require foreign firms seeking ICT licences to transfer at least 30% equity to historically disadvantaged persons. In response to Starlink’s concerns, government has proposed Equity Equivalent Investment Programs (EEIPs) as an alternative compliance route. Starlink has supported this option and submitted proposals, but parts of the political and industry landscape continue to contest the mechanism.
Demand for satellite internet in South Africa remains significant. DataReportal estimates that by the end of 2025, around 13.3 million South Africans, about 20.4% of the population, still did not use the internet. That gap creates a major opportunity for Amazon Leo and its local partners, especially as satellite connectivity can deliver national coverage. Beyond first-time users, the market also includes customers who want reliable, high-quality service for remote work, online learning, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, gaming, and streaming.
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