Nigeria’s satellite broadband market is set for tougher competition, after the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), granted Amazon’s ‘Project Kuiper’ a 7-year landing permit, allowing the company to begin satellite internet operations in the country from 2026.
The approval, dated February 28, 2026, authorises Kuiper to operate its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites over Nigeria as part of a global constellation of up to 3,236 satellites.
The NCC said the move aligns with global best practices and reflects Nigeria’s openness to next-generation broadband providers.
Kuiper’s entry effectively ends Starlink’s uncontested lead in Nigeria’s LEO satellite internet space. Since its launch, Starlink has dominated the market, particularly in areas poorly served by fibre and mobile networks.
Amazon’s arrival introduces a second global-scale operator with the capacity to compete on pricing, coverage and service quality. Under the permit, Kuiper can offer Fixed Satellite Service (FSS), Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) and Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM), enabling connectivity for homes, businesses, government facilities and moving platforms such as ships, aircraft and vehicles.
The approval also covers Ka-band frequencies, which support higher speeds and lower latency, with Amazon targeting customer speeds of up to 400 Mbps.
Nigeria is a key market for Kuiper due to its large population and persistent connectivity gaps. NCC’s data show over 23 million Nigerians remain unserved or underserved, while mobile broadband penetration stood at 50.58% as of November 2025.
For Starlink, Kuiper’s approval raises competitive pressure, especially as Amazon could bundle satellite connectivity with its cloud and enterprise services.
For consumers and businesses, the NCC’s decision signals a shift to a more open and contested satellite broadband market, with competition expected to drive better pricing, wider coverage and improved service delivery.
