Nigeria has approved satellite broadband licences for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, BeetleSat, and Satelio, paving the way for the companies to begin providing non-geostationary satellite internet services across the country from 2026.
The development was disclosed in a post on X by the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, who said the seven-year operating permits were issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as part of the Federal Government’s drive to widen internet access and deepen competition in the telecommunications sector.
With the approval, the satellite operators are authorised to deliver broadband connectivity nationwide, with particular focus on underserved and hard-to-reach communities where traditional terrestrial infrastructure remains limited.
Industry analysts say the move is expected to intensify competition in Nigeria’s satellite internet market, placing pressure on existing providers, including Starlink, while driving improvements in service quality and pricing in Africa’s largest telecoms market.
The licences, observers add, align with Nigeria’s broader digital economy agenda aimed at promoting digital inclusion, expanding rural connectivity, and accelerating economic and social development through wider access to reliable digital services.
