Amazon to Launch Satellite Internet in South Africa Through Herotel

Amazon will launch its satellite internet service in South Africa in 2027 after signing an agreement with local internet provider Herotel. The partnership is Amazon’s first satellite broadband deal in Africa and comes while rival Starlink is still waiting to enter the South African market. Neither company disclosed the value of the agreement.

South Africa Gets Amazon’s First African Rollout

The service, called Amazon Leo, uses low Earth orbit satellites to provide internet access in areas where fibre or fixed wireless networks are limited. Although fibre coverage has expanded across South Africa in recent years, many businesses and communities outside major towns still have limited access to reliable broadband. Satellite internet gives internet providers another way to reach those areas without laying new infrastructure. Herotel will distribute the service through its existing network when it becomes available in 2027.

Starlink Remains on the Sidelines

Amazon’s announcement comes as Starlink continues to face delays in South Africa. Elon Musk has publicly criticised the country’s licensing requirements, arguing they have prevented Starlink from launching locally. South Africa requires foreign communications companies to meet local ownership rules before they can obtain operating licences. Government says those rules apply to every company operating in the sector and form part of the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy.

More Choice for Businesses

For businesses operating outside South Africa’s major cities, reliable internet is often still a challenge. Agriculture, mining, tourism and logistics companies are among those that could benefit from another broadband option. The arrival of Amazon Leo also adds more competition to South Africa’s connectivity market at a time when demand for faster and more reliable internet continues to grow. While the service is still more than a year away, Amazon’s decision to start its African rollout in South Africa shows the country remains an important market for international technology companies investing in digital infrastructure.