Amazon and Starlink bring satel­lite battle to Africa

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reported on July 22, 2026, that low-earth-orbit satellite internet services from U.S. technology companies are accelerating competition for African connectivity markets. The article frames the arrival of Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and Amazon LEO, formerly Project Kuiper, as a major shift from Africa’s historically state-led space activity, which has largely focused on geostationary satellites for broadcasting, communications and security uses.

According to the report, Starlink began African operations in Nigeria in 2023 and has expanded to 27 countries, with an estimated 500,000 users on the continent. The article says about 400 million Africans remain offline, while 250 million live outside fibre or mobile coverage, making satellite services attractive where ground infrastructure is too costly. It also cites SpaceX filings indicating Starlink had more than 10,000 satellites by the end of 2025, 10.3 million subscribers globally and annual revenue of $11.39 billion.

Amazon is now entering the same field, with Nigeria granting Amazon LEO a seven-year licence effective February 28 to operate a constellation of more than 3,000 satellites over the country. The company has also applied in Kenya, where regulators are reviewing a licence that would include local ownership requirements. The report notes that similar rules have complicated or blocked Starlink’s plans in South Africa and Namibia.

The article adds that satellite internet has not yet fully solved rural “last-mile” access because costs remain high and many users are in cities. It points to emerging partnerships, such as Airtel Africa’s deal with SpaceX for direct-to-cell service, as a possible way to extend coverage without expensive household satellite equipment.