Ghana is in talks with Amazon to bring its satellite-based internet service, Leo, to the country, potentially expanding broadband access across rural communities. President John Mahama discussed this possibility with David Zapolsky, Amazon’s senior vice president and chief global affairs officer, on the sidelines of UNGA in New York.
This move could address a significant connectivity gap in Ghana, where over 25% of the population remains offline despite high mobile penetration rates (89.5%). While mobile networks cover much of the country, limited fiber optic infrastructure and affordability challenges hinder wider access.
Amazon Leo offers a potential solution by delivering high-speed internet via low-Earth-orbit satellites—a technology that avoids the need for extensive terrestrial cabling. The service is currently in enterprise preview with plans for broader rollout starting in 2026, and already has partnerships in other African countries like South Africa.
If successful, this partnership could give Ghana a competitive edge by providing faster internet speeds (potentially improving from its current ranking of 93rd globally) and enabling new digital services across the country. It would also position Ghana as an early adopter of satellite-based broadband solutions ahead of wider availability in Africa.
This initiative comes amid growing competition in the satellite internet market with companies like Starlink already offering services in Ghana—where they’ve gained over 16,000 subscribers since launch.