Nigeria has issued seven‑year satellite permits to Amazon’s Kuiper Systems, Israel’s NSLComm’s BeetleSat, and Germany-based Satelio IoT Services, opening the door for expanded satellite-based broadband across the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said, according to Reuters. The move is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to boost digital connectivity and attract investment into next-generation telecommunications.
The permits fall under the NCC’s Commercial Satellite Communications Guidelines, which support non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) systems. Amazon’s Kuiper Systems received approval to operate Ka-band services over Nigeria from February 2026 through February 2033 as part of its 3,236-satellite Project Kuiper constellation. BeetleSat-1, with a planned 264-satellite network, and Satelio’s 491-satellite IoT system, though currently with one satellite in orbit, also received authorization, according to MarketScreener.
Regulators said the approvals aim to accelerate satellite broadband deployment and align Nigeria with global standards in space-based communications. The entry of multiple operators is expected to increase competition in the satellite internet market, complement existing players such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, and help close connectivity gaps in rural and underserved regions, as highlighted by Brand Icon Image.
CNA says the expansion will spur investment in ground infrastructure, improve digital inclusion, and support enterprise demand for reliable, high-speed internet where fibre networks remain limited or uneconomical.
