Amazon Applies for Licence to Set Up Satellite Earth Stations in Kenya

Kenya’s fast-growing satellite internet industry could soon see a major new entrant after American technology company Amazon moved to secure regulatory approval to launch ground infrastructure linked to its global broadband project, Project Kuiper.

According to a notice published in the Kenya Gazette, the company’s local subsidiary, Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited, has applied to the Communications Authority of Kenya for an International Gateway Operator licence. The licence is a key requirement for companies seeking to establish satellite earth stations and cross-border telecommunications systems that connect local users to international networks.

If approved, the licence would allow Amazon to build and operate earth station facilities in Kenya. These stations act as communication hubs, linking user devices on the ground to satellites orbiting the earth, and then relaying internet traffic across global data networks. The move signals Amazon’s intention to establish a long-term presence in Kenya’s broadband sector as part of its wider Project Kuiper rollout.

Project Kuiper is Amazon’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet system designed to deliver high-speed connectivity to areas where traditional fibre and mobile networks remain weak or unavailable. Once fully deployed, it is expected to offer global coverage and directly challenge existing satellite internet providers.

One of the key players Amazon is set to compete with is Starlink, operated by SpaceX. Starlink has already established a presence in Kenya and has been steadily expanding its user base, especially in rural and remote regions where internet access has historically been limited.

Starlink’s service has attracted both households and businesses due to its portability and relatively stable speeds compared to traditional networks in underserved areas. Monthly subscription packages in Kenya currently start at about Ksh6,500, placing it in the higher-end segment of internet service providers.

Even with its growing popularity, Starlink still holds a small portion of Kenya’s broadband market. Estimates indicate it controls about one per cent of the overall internet service provider space, while dominant telecom operator Safaricom remains the market leader with roughly 36 per cent share.

However, subscriber numbers for satellite internet continue to rise, with Starlink reportedly serving more than 22,000 users in the country. Demand has been driven by remote learning needs, business continuity requirements, and growing frustration with inconsistent connectivity in some regions.

Analysts say Amazon’s potential entry could significantly reshape the market by increasing competition in satellite broadband. More providers in the sector could push for lower equipment costs, improved service reliability, and wider coverage across Kenya’s underserved counties.

Kenya is increasingly becoming a key market for advanced digital infrastructure, and the arrival of another global tech giant could accelerate the country’s push toward universal internet access. Regulators are now expected to assess the application in line with national telecom laws, spectrum management policies, and broader digital economy goals.

If approved, Amazon’s Kuiper project would place Kenya among the early African markets to host multiple competing LEO satellite internet providers, potentially transforming how internet access is delivered across the country.