Amazon targets Starlink’s African lead with Kenya satellite gateway bid

Amazon is making its boldest move yet into Africa’s satellite internet market, setting the stage for a direct battle with Elon Musk’s Starlink in one of the continent’s fastest-growing digital sectors.

The technology giant founded by Jeff Bezos has applied for an International Gateway Operator licence in Kenya through its local subsidiary, Amazon Kuiper Group Kenya Limited. If approved, the company plans to establish its first satellite earth station in Africa, creating a gateway that will connect its Project Kuiper low-Earth orbit satellite network to terrestrial internet infrastructure across the region.

The move positions Amazon to challenge Starlink, which has rapidly expanded across Africa since entering Kenya in 2023. Starlink has already attracted more than 22,000 subscribers in the East African country, providing broadband services to households, businesses and communities that previously struggled with unreliable internet access.

Amazon’s entry signals that Africa has become an increasingly important battleground in the global race to deliver satellite-powered broadband. Through Project Kuiper, Amazon plans to deploy more than 3,200 low-Earth orbit satellites by 2028, creating a global network capable of providing high-speed and low-latency internet services.

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Unlike traditional internet infrastructure, satellite broadband can reach remote and underserved areas where laying fibre-optic cables is difficult or uneconomical. This has made the technology particularly attractive in Africa, where millions of people remain unconnected despite growing demand for digital services.

Amazon’s decision to establish its first African earth station in Kenya reflects the country’s reputation as one of the continent’s leading digital economies. Kenya has invested heavily in telecommunications infrastructure, data connectivity and digital innovation, making it an attractive launchpad for regional expansion.

The development also highlights the growing commercial rivalry between Bezos and Musk, whose companies are increasingly competing across multiple sectors, including space technology, cloud computing and satellite communications.

For African consumers, businesses and governments, the competition could bring significant benefits. Increased rivalry in the satellite broadband market is expected to encourage innovation, improve service quality and potentially reduce prices as operators compete for market share.

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The timing is significant as African countries accelerate efforts to expand internet access, support digital economies and bridge connectivity gaps between urban and rural communities. Satellite broadband is increasingly being viewed as a critical tool for achieving these goals.

If Kenya approves Amazon’s licence application, Project Kuiper’s African expansion could mark the beginning of a new phase in the continent’s connectivity journey, transforming the market from one dominated by Starlink into a more competitive landscape with multiple global players vying to connect millions of Africans.

The result could be a faster rollout of broadband services across underserved regions, helping to unlock economic opportunities, support digital inclusion and strengthen Africa’s position in the global digital economy.