Satellite operators multiply in Africa as Amazon targets Kenya licence

The low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite race across Africa is gaining momentum as several global operators secure regulatory approvals and strategic partnerships, just as Amazon LEO pushes forward with its application for a Network Facilities Provider Tier 2 licence in Kenya.

Through its local subsidiary Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited, Amazon has applied to the Communications Authority of Kenya for the licence, which, if granted, would enable the company to build and operate telecom infrastructure, including satellite ground stations and fibre backhaul, across the country’s 47 counties.

This move follows Amazon’s major regulatory win in Nigeria in January 2026, where it received a seven-year licence covering satellite services, internet provision, and international data gateway operations.

Read also: Nigeria opens its skies to Amazon Kuiper, ending Starlink’s LEO head start

Nigeria has continued to open its market by issuing similar seven-year permits to Israel’s NSLComm through its BeetleSat project for fixed satellite broadband and to Germany’s Satelio IoT Services for mobile and IoT applications.

These approvals, effective from February 2026, have increased the number of active and upcoming satellite players in Africa’s largest economy, alongside Starlink and now Amazon LEO.

Eutelsat OneWeb is pursuing a steadier expansion through local partnerships. The company holds a 15-year operating licence in Angola and recently gained approval in Namibia for business broadband services distributed through local partners. Its multi-orbit strategy focuses particularly on enterprise, government, and industrial connectivity needs across Southern and Eastern Africa.

Starlink continues to lead in consumer broadband with operations in roughly 25 to 30 African countries. In Kenya, it has grown to become the eighth-largest internet provider with more than 22,000 subscribers by December 2025, dominating the premium high-speed segment.

However, the competitive dynamics are evolving toward greater collaboration between satellite operators and established telecoms. In a significant development, Airtel Africa signed an agreement with SpaceX in December 2025 to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell service across all its 14 African markets starting in 2026.

This partnership will allow compatible smartphones to receive satellite connectivity directly for messaging and data services in areas beyond traditional network coverage, serving Airtel’s large customer base spanning Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and other countries.

Read also: Amazon can beam satellites over Nigeria, but can’t sell internet yet. Here’s why

The entry of multiple LEO operators reflects varied business approaches ranging from direct consumer services and enterprise solutions to specialised IoT offerings and direct-to-device connectivity.

African regulators continue to navigate this influx by enforcing local ownership requirements, spectrum allocation processes and rollout obligations while seeking to accelerate digital inclusion in underserved regions.

As Amazon’s application in Kenya undergoes review, the broadening field of licensed satellite providers is expected to intensify competition and foster innovation in pricing and service models.

With substantial connectivity gaps remaining across the continent, the multiplication of LEO operators signals a promising phase for expanding affordable broadband access through both competitive pressure and strategic partnerships.