Amazon Brings Satellite Internet to South Africa While Musk Voices Opposition

Amazon has announced a partnership with local provider Herotel to launch satellite‑based broadband in South Africa, marking the first such deal for the company on the continent. The move follows criticism from Elon Musk, who says he cannot use his Starlink service there because of the country’s affirmative‑action rules that favor Black ownership.

South Africa’s laws require foreign telecom firms to give a minority stake in their local operations to non‑white partners. These rules aim to correct historical disadvantages created during apartheid. Musk claims the regulations target him because he is white, and he has publicly accused the government of racism.

The South African government welcomed Amazon’s entry, with Communications Minister Solly Malatsi attending the announcement. Amazon’s satellite network, known as Project Kuiper, already operates in many other regions and plans to expand further across Africa.

Starlink, launched by Musk in 2019, now has more than 10,000 satellites and operates in roughly two dozen African countries. However, it has declined to comply with South Africa’s ownership requirements.

Amazon’s strategy includes teaming up with Vanu Inc., a Massachusetts‑based firm that provides mobile internet to developing markets. The company sees Africa’s vast rural population—over 1.5 billion people—as a key opportunity for satellite connectivity.

Other countries where Amazon’s Kuiper has secured launch agreements include Thailand, Kazakhstan, Australia and several Latin American nations. While Amazon is still building its network, Starlink already serves users in more than 160 countries worldwide.

This development highlights the growing competition between satellite internet providers and the complex regulatory landscapes they must navigate in emerging markets.