Nigeria has approved satellite broadband operating licences for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, BeetleSat, and Satelio, clearing the way for the companies to begin offering 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 Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued seven-year operating permits to the firms as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand internet access and strengthen competition in the telecommunications sector.
With the approval, the satellite operators are authorised to provide broadband connectivity nationwide, with a focus on underserved and hard-to-reach communities where conventional terrestrial infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
Industry analysts say the move is expected to intensify competition in Nigeria’s satellite internet market, putting pressure on existing providers, including Starlink, while encouraging improvements in service quality and pricing in Africa’s largest telecommunications market.
Observers add that the licences align with Nigeria’s broader digital economy agenda, which aims to promote digital inclusion, expand rural connectivity, and drive economic and social development through wider access to reliable digital services.
