Amazon to Launch Satellite Internet Service in South Africa Through Local Partnership

Amazon has announced plans to launch its satellite internet service in South Africa in 2027, marking the company’s first major satellite broadband agreement on the African continent.

The technology giant will partner with South African internet provider Herotel to deliver the service through a new brand called evry, which will use Amazon’s low-Earth orbit satellite network, Amazon Leo, to provide internet connectivity to homes and businesses across the country. The agreement represents a significant step in expanding internet access to underserved and remote communities where traditional broadband infrastructure remains limited.

Bringing Connectivity to Underserved Communities

Millions of people across Africa continue to face challenges accessing reliable and affordable internet services, particularly in rural areas where fibre and mobile networks are often unavailable or unreliable.

Amazon says the new satellite service is designed to help bridge that gap by providing high-speed internet directly through satellites orbiting the Earth. Herotel will oversee installations, customer support, and local operations, using its existing network that serves hundreds of towns across South Africa.

The company believes satellite technology can play an important role in connecting schools, healthcare facilities, small businesses, and households that have traditionally been excluded from the digital economy.

Amazon Enters Africa’s Growing Internet Market

The South African agreement marks Amazon’s first satellite internet partnership in Africa and signals the company’s growing interest in the continent’s digital infrastructure sector.

The launch forms part of a broader international expansion strategy for Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper. The satellite network is intended to compete with other global satellite broadband providers by delivering internet access to regions where conventional networks struggle to reach.

Amazon has already signed agreements in several countries across Latin America, Asia, and Oceania and sees Africa as a major growth opportunity because of the continent’s large underserved population.

Competition in the Satellite Internet Race

The announcement has drawn attention because it places Amazon in direct competition with SpaceX’s Starlink, which has been seeking to expand its presence across Africa.

While Starlink operates in numerous African countries, it has yet to launch commercial services in South Africa due to ongoing regulatory and licensing challenges. Amazon’s partnership with Herotel is seen by analysts as a strategic move that allows the company to enter the market through an established local provider while navigating existing regulations.

Industry observers believe competition between satellite internet providers could lead to improved services and broader internet access for consumers across the continent.

Economic and Social Impact

Technology experts say improved connectivity could have far-reaching benefits for South Africa’s economy.

Reliable internet access is increasingly viewed as essential for education, healthcare, digital entrepreneurship, financial services, and remote work. Expanding broadband coverage into underserved regions could create new opportunities for businesses and communities while helping to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural populations.

Government officials have welcomed initiatives aimed at increasing internet penetration, arguing that better connectivity is critical to economic growth and digital inclusion.

Looking Ahead

Commercial rollout of the new service is expected to begin in 2027, with Herotel responsible for bringing Amazon’s satellite technology directly to customers across South Africa.

For Amazon, the agreement represents a major milestone in its African expansion plans. For South Africa, it offers the prospect of improved internet access in areas where traditional broadband services have struggled to reach.

As demand for reliable connectivity continues to grow across the continent, the launch could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.