Amazon Leo surpasses Starlink in reaching South Africa, Musk's country of origin.

      Amazon Leo is set to introduce satellite internet in South Africa in 2027, potentially outpacing Elon Musk's Starlink in its home country. Musk has rejected the Black-ownership regulations that Amazon seems prepared to accept.

      Jeff Bezos appears poised to overshadow Elon Musk in Musk's own territory. According to a report by the Associated Press on Wednesday, Amazon announced it will launch its Amazon Leo satellite internet service in South Africa in 2027. This marks Amazon's inaugural satellite venture on the African continent.

      To serve the nation of 62 million residents, Amazon will collaborate with local provider Herotel. No financial specifics were disclosed by Amazon. The South African government has endorsed the agreement, with Communications Minister Solly Malatsi appearing with representatives from Amazon and Herotel for the announcement.

      Reasons for Starlink's absence

      Starlink, owned by Musk's SpaceX, is currently operational in around twenty African nations, but it does not provide service in South Africa, the continent's most developed economy and Musk's birthplace.

      Musk has attributed this absence to the country’s regulations, claiming that South African laws have hindered Starlink’s entry based on his race, accusing the government of racism. He referenced the country’s affirmative-action policies.

      These regulations mandate that foreign companies in the communications sector must sell a minority share of their local branch to Black or other non-white stakeholders before obtaining a license. The government asserts this policy aims to rectify injustices from the apartheid era. Musk has opted not to comply with it.

      In contrast, Amazon's decision to partner with a local entity indicates a willingness to adhere to the same regulations. This differentiation highlights the narrative at play.

      A competitive race in the skies

      Amazon is in a position of catching up. It launched its first low-orbit satellites last year and claims to have over 390 currently in operation. In comparison, Starlink deployed its initial satellites in 2019 and now boasts more than 10,000 across over 160 nations.

      However, the service previously known as Project Kuiper is progressing rapidly. Now commercially operational, Amazon Leo has already secured launch agreements in Thailand, Kazakhstan, Australia, and various Latin American markets. South Africa marks the beginning of a broader expansion into Africa, with a second partner, Vanu, already lined up.

      The potential rewards are substantial. Africa is home to more than 1.5 billion individuals, many of whom live in rural regions lacking fixed internet access. This gap is precisely what satellites aim to bridge. For once, Bezos has achieved this milestone ahead of Musk.