Amazon Leo surpasses Starlink in reaching South Africa, which is Musk’s country of origin.

      Amazon Leo is set to introduce satellite internet in South Africa by 2027, seemingly outpacing Elon Musk’s Starlink in Musk's homeland. Musk has declined to comply with the Black ownership regulations that Amazon seems prepared to accept.

      Jeff Bezos is poised to outdo Elon Musk in Musk's own territory. On Wednesday, Amazon announced plans to launch its Amazon Leo satellite internet service in South Africa in 2027, according to the Associated Press. This marks the company's initial satellite initiative on the African continent.

      Amazon will collaborate with the local provider Herotel to serve a nation of 62 million people. No financial details have been revealed by Amazon. The South African government has endorsed the agreement, with Communications Minister Solly Malatsi present during the announcement alongside Amazon and Herotel.

      Why Starlink isn't available there

      Starlink, operated by Musk's SpaceX, is currently active in about two dozen African nations, but it does not operate in South Africa, the continent's most developed economy, and Musk's birthplace.

      Musk has attributed this absence to local regulations. He claims that South African laws have hindered Starlink's operations due to his race, alleging government racism related to the country’s affirmative-action policies.

      These regulations mandate that foreign companies in the communications sector must sell a minority stake in their local entity to Black or other non-white stakeholders before obtaining a license. The government asserts that this policy aims to rectify injustices experienced during apartheid. Musk has opted not to comply with these requirements.

      In contrast, Amazon’s decision to engage a local partner indicates its willingness to abide by the same regulations. This difference is notable.

      The space competition

      Amazon is in a position of catching up. The company launched its first low-orbit satellites last year and now reports having over 390 operational satellites. Starlink, which initiated its service in 2019, has over 10,000 satellites across more than 160 countries.

      However, the project previously known as Project Kuiper is progressing rapidly. Now commercially active, Amazon Leo has already established launch agreements in Thailand, Kazakhstan, Australia, and various Latin American countries. The launch in South Africa marks the beginning of a broader expansion into Africa, with a second partner, Vanu, already identified.

      The potential market is substantial. Africa has a population exceeding 1.5 billion people, many of whom reside in rural regions without fixed internet access. This gap is precisely what satellites aim to bridge. For once, Bezos has seized this opportunity before Musk.