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

The company will partner with South African internet provider Herotel.

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

No financial details were disclosed.

The move comes after Elon Musk criticized South Africa's government.

Musk, who was born in South Africa, said regulations prevent him from launching Starlink there because he is white.

The rules require foreign communications companies to give a minority share to Black or non-white owners.

The government says these policies address past apartheid-era discrimination.

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

Amazon launched its first low-orbit internet satellites last year and has over 390 operational.

Starlink has more than 10,000 satellites in orbit and operates in over 160 countries.

Starlink is available in about two dozen other African nations, but Musk has refused to follow South Africa's affirmative action rules.

Amazon said the South Africa deal is the start of its Africa expansion.

It will also partner with Vanu Inc., a company focused on mobile internet in developing countries.

There is a large potential market for satellite internet in Africa, where many people lack fixed connections.

Amazon Leo has already signed deals in several other countries, including Thailand, Australia, and Brazil.