Starlink’s continued expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa since 2023 has enabled the American Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operator to reach an estimated half a million subscribers in the region at the end of 2025. Last week, the company officially launched its services in Senegal, marking the 25th country it has entered in Sub-Saharan Africa. This expansion comes at a time when competition in the African LEO market is intensifying. Amazon LEO (formerly known as Project Kuiper) is expected to launch its services in multiple countries in 2026. In January, Amazon obtained a licence to operate in Nigeria, currently Starlink’s largest market in the region. It has also been announced that Amazon LEO plans to enter South Africa by the end of the year, a country with significant market potential that Starlink has historically struggled to access. Amazon’s launch strategy is expected to prioritize partnerships with local internet service providers rather than offering services directly to customers. Leveraging established distribution networks could enable faster market penetration. A similar approach is now being explored by Starlink, which signed a partnership with Vodacom last November to resell its services in countries where it holds operating licences. The arrival of a second major competitor could increase pressure on Starlink’s pricing. Monthly subscriptions currently range from USD 30 to USD 50, with the exception of Kenya, where entry-level plans start at USD 10. The upfront cost of equipment remains particularly high, reaching several hundred dollars (USD 435 in Nigeria, for example). Relative to local purchasing power, these prices constitute a significant barrier to broader adoption. Starlink has also faced capacity constraints, reportedly refusing additional subscribers in Lagos and other major Nigerian cities at the end of 2025. The entry of another LEO operator could help reduce such limitations and improve internet accessibility across the region. However, current adoption tends to concentrate in densely populated and wealthier areas. It remains uncertain whether the expansion of LEO satellite connectivity will meaningfully address the digital divide for underserved regions where traditional fixed and mobile infrastructure is lacking.
