Amazon’s Project Kuiper has secured regulatory approval to begin satellite Internet operations in Nigeria, opening the door to increased competition in the country’s fast-evolving broadband market.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted Project Kuiper a seven-year landing permit, effective from February 28, 2026. The approval allows Amazon to deploy its space segment in Nigeria as part of its planned global low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation of more than 3,200 satellites.
With the permit in place, Amazon is cleared to offer satellite broadband services across Nigeria and can begin planning local ground infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and enterprise connectivity deals.
Kuiper’s approval marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s satellite Internet landscape, which has so far been dominated by Starlink. The entry of Amazon-backed Kuiper signals the end of a near-monopoly and introduces real competition into Africa’s largest Internet market.
Industry observers say increased rivalry could benefit both consumers and regulators, potentially leading to improved service quality, faster network rollouts, and more competitive pricing as operators compete for market share.
Nigeria’s openness to next-generation connectivity has grown as millions of citizens remain underserved by traditional fibre and mobile broadband networks. Mobile broadband penetration is estimated at around 50 percent, while rural and hard-to-reach communities continue to face persistent connectivity gaps. In this context, LEO satellite services are increasingly viewed as a critical complement to terrestrial infrastructure.
Reliable Internet access plays a key role in driving economic growth, supporting sectors such as banking, education, logistics, healthcare, and public services. With Amazon’s Kuiper entering the Nigerian market, backed by the company’s global scale, cloud ecosystem, and logistics strength, pressure is expected to mount on existing providers, including Starlink and local players.
If competition unfolds as anticipated, Nigerian users could benefit from faster speeds, more reliable connections, and greater choice in how they access the Internet in the coming years.
