Amazon said on Wednesday it will start its satellite internet service, Amazon Leo, in South Africa in 2027.

The company will work with a South African internet provider called Herotel.

This is Amazon's first satellite internet deal in Africa.

The companies did not share any money details.

This news comes after Elon Musk criticized South Africa's government.

Musk was born in South Africa.

He said rules stop him from starting Starlink there because he is white.

The rules say foreign communication companies must give a small part of the business to Black or non-white owners.

The government says these rules help fix problems from the past apartheid time.

South Africa's Communications Minister Solly Malatsi joined Amazon and Herotel to tell people about the deal.

Amazon sent its first low-orbit internet satellites into space last year.

It now has more than 390 working satellites.

Starlink has more than 10,000 satellites in space.

It works in over 160 countries.

Starlink is available in about 24 other African countries.

But Musk has said no to South Africa's affirmative action rules.

Amazon said the South Africa deal is the start of its growth in Africa.

It will also work with Vanu Inc.

This company helps with mobile internet in developing countries.

There is a big possible market for satellite internet in Africa.

Many people there do not have fixed internet connections.

Amazon Leo has already made deals in several other countries.

These include Thailand, Australia, and Brazil.