Amazon’s licence application in Kenya marks its biggest African infrastructure push yet as it seeks to compete with Starlink’s growing presence on the continent….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Amazon has taken a major step towards expanding its satellite internet ambitions in Africa, applying for a licence in Kenya that would allow it to establish infrastructure supporting its low Earth orbit satellite network and compete more directly with Elon Musk’s Starlink service across the continent.
According to a report by Business Insider Africa, Amazon’s local subsidiary, Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited, has applied to the Communications Authority of Kenya for an International Gateway Operator licence. If approved, the licence would permit the company to build and operate satellite earth stations and related facilities used to route internet traffic between Kenya and international networks.
The move represents Amazon’s most significant infrastructure investment in Africa to date and underscores the company’s growing interest in the continent’s rapidly expanding connectivity market.
The proposed gateway would serve as a key link between Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation, known as Amazon Leo and previously referred to as Project Kuiper, and terrestrial internet networks. Ground stations are a critical component of satellite broadband systems, enabling data to travel between satellites and users on the ground while improving speed and reducing latency.
Industry observers view the application as the beginning of a direct challenge to Starlink, which has established an early lead in several African markets.
Starlink entered Kenya in 2023 and quickly gained popularity among households, businesses and institutions seeking alternatives to traditional broadband services. The satellite internet provider now has more than 22,000 subscribers in the country and ranks among Kenya’s fastest growing internet service providers.
The SpaceX owned company has expanded its reach through hardware financing options and broader coverage in remote areas where fibre and mobile broadband infrastructure remain limited.
Amazon is seeking to capture a share of that market through its global plan to deploy more than 3,200 low Earth orbit satellites by 2028. The network is designed to provide high speed, low latency internet services to households, businesses, governments and telecommunications operators.
According to Business Insider Africa, Amazon is targeting download speeds of up to 400 Mbps for standard users, with significantly higher speeds available for enterprise customers.
Kenya’s appeal stems from its position as one of Africa’s leading technology hubs. The country boasts relatively advanced digital infrastructure, a vibrant startup ecosystem and growing demand for reliable internet connectivity. The success of Starlink’s Kenyan operations has also demonstrated strong market demand for satellite broadband services.
A Kenyan gateway could additionally support neighbouring countries from a single regional hub, strengthening Amazon’s presence across East Africa while reducing reliance on infrastructure located outside the continent.
The company has already taken regulatory steps towards expanding its footprint in Kenya through an earlier application for a Network Facilities Provider licence.
Africa is increasingly emerging as a key battleground for satellite internet providers as millions of people across the continent continue to lack reliable broadband access, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
Amazon has also moved to strengthen partnerships with telecommunications companies. Earlier this year, Amazon Leo signed an agreement with Vodafone to connect remote 4G and 5G mobile sites across Europe and Africa using satellite technology, with African operations expected to be supported through Vodafone’s subsidiary, Vodacom.
If approved, the Kenyan gateway would provide Amazon with a strategic foothold in one of Africa’s most important technology markets and mark a significant milestone in the growing race to expand satellite internet coverage across the continent.
