Amazon Applies to Build Satellite Ground Station in Kenya as Starlink Remains Blocked in Namibia and South Africa

Amazon has applied for approval to build its first African satellite ground station in Kenya. The filing places Amazon in direct competition with SpaceX, whose Starlink service is the most widely used satellite internet offering across the continent. Semafor reported that Amazon’s move comes as governments in several African countries impose tighter controls on satellite internet providers.

Namibia and South Africa have blocked Starlink from entering their markets by enforcing local ownership requirements. SpaceX is scheduled to complete a $75 billion stock market debut on Friday, a step that could increase investor attention on regulatory outcomes in major African markets.

Africa’s large youth population and uneven broadband coverage create both scale and unmet demand for satellite services, according to the same report.