Amazon Explores Kenya as Next Market for Satellite Broadband Expansion

Amazon is evaluating Kenya as part of its plan to expand satellite-based internet services across Africa. Company representatives recently met with officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy to discuss how low-Earth orbit satellite technology could improve internet access in areas that remain poorly served by infrastructure.

The delegation included Farouk Shamas Jiwa, Amazon’s senior manager for international public policy, who held talks with John Tanui, principal secretary in the ministry. The discussions centred on using satellite connectivity to provide faster and more reliable broadband to communities that currently have limited or no access to the internet.

Kenya’s government has been prioritising digital expansion as part of its broader development strategy and Officials believe improved connectivity can support online services, education platforms, healthcare systems and new business opportunities, particularly in regions that remain outside major urban centres.

Kenya’s digital sector continues to expand

Kenya has built one of the most active technology ecosystems in Africa, but connectivity remains uneven across the country. Figures released by the Communications Authority of Kenya show that by September 2025 the country had 78.3 million mobile subscriptions, 60.26 million mobile internet subscriptions, and 2.29 million fixed internet connections, despite a population estimated at about 52.4 million people.

The high subscription numbers largely reflect multiple SIM cards used by individual customers rather than unique users. This means that the number of people with regular internet access remains significantly lower than the raw data suggests.

Despite high mobile subscription numbers, access to the internet remains limited for a large share of the population. The International Telecommunication Union estimates Kenya’s internet penetration at around 35 percent, and the GSMA says about 35 million people in the country are still offline.

Satellite internet as an alternative to traditional networks

Low-Earth orbit satellite systems are increasingly being promoted as a way to expand connectivity in countries where building fibre or mobile infrastructure in rural areas is costly. By operating closer to Earth than conventional satellites, these systems can deliver lower latency and faster data speeds.

Amazon’s planned satellite network would be designed to provide broadband coverage across wide areas, allowing users in remote regions to connect to the internet without relying entirely on ground-based telecom infrastructure.

Strong competition already present

If Amazon proceeds with the Kenyan market, it will face competition from both satellite providers and established telecom companies. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, already offers satellite connectivity services in the country.

Local operators still dominate overall connectivity. Data from regulators indicate that Safaricom held 62.7 percent of Kenya’s 47.1 million mobile broadband subscriptions as of September 2025. Airtel Kenya accounted for 33.5 percent, while smaller shares were held by Telkom Kenya, Finserve Africa, and Jamii Telecommunications.

In the fixed broadband market, Safaricom also leads with more than 815,000 subscribers, representing around 35.6 percent of the segment. Jamii Telecommunications follows, with additional shares held by Wananchi Group and Poa Internet. Starlink currently accounts for a small share of the fixed internet market.

Amazon has not yet confirmed a launch schedule or commercial structure for Kenya. The discussions with government officials represent an early step in evaluating potential partnerships and regulatory pathways.

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