Vodacom in big Amazon Prime deal in South Africa
June 26th 2026
Vodacom and Amazon have announced an agreement that will see the mobile operator’s postpaid customers receive free membership to Prime, the online retailer’s subscription programme.
Vodacom Red Core, Red Flexi, and Red VIP customers will enjoy all the benefits of Amazon Prime, though some contracts are limited to specific trial periods.
Home Internet, Mobile Broadband, and Fibre customers will gain access to the Amazon Prime offer starting in August 2026.
RED Flexi customers will receive a free three-month trial, while RED Core customers will receive a 12-month trial.
RED VIP, Home Internet, and Fibre customers will receive free lifetime access. This is subject to the availability of the service and for as long as the customer remains eligible.
Vodacom announced that all prepaid customers can sign up for Amazon Prime and pay using their airtime.
Amazon Prime launched in South Africa on 3 June for R59 per month or R399 per year. The annual subscription represents a 44% discount over the monthly fee, resulting in an effective monthly cost of R33.25.
Amazon’s global head of Amazon Prime, Jamil Ghani, said that this was one of the company’s lowest annual membership prices across its 27 global markets.
At R59 per month, Amazon Prime is already R20 per month cheaper than the standalone Prime Video subscription used to be in South Africa.
Since Amazon Prime includes Prime Video, it is an obvious upgrade for anyone who was already subscribed to the streaming service in South Africa, even without Kindle-related perks.
Customers who signed up for Prime before their Prime Video subscriptions renewed would receive a refund for any remaining Prime Video account value.
At launch, Amazon Prime in South Africa included free same-day and next-day delivery, streaming and gaming benefits, early access to specials, and exclusive access to Prime Day.
Expanding Vodacom’s Prime Video Mobile Edition partnership
Vodacom first introduced Prime Video in 2020 and Prime Video Mobile Edition in 2022, becoming the first mobile operator to launch the latter in South Africa.
Rishaad Tayob, director of consumer business at Vodacom South Africa, said they were pleased to be Amazon’s partner of choice in South Africa.
“The Amazon Prime partnership positions Vodacom as a holistic digital lifestyle provider, going beyond connectivity, offering meaningful everyday benefits that add real value to our customers’ lives,” he said.
“Notably, the launch of Amazon Prime comes as South African consumers continue to look for increased value in response to persistent economic pressures and the rising cost of living.”
Robert Koen, the managing director for Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa, said their collaboration with Vodacom SA demonstrated their ambition to become part of South Africans’ daily lives.
“Since launching Amazon in South Africa two years ago, we have built a store our customers love, with a great selection of local and international products backed by a reliable delivery experience,” he said.
“Launching Amazon Prime is the next exciting milestone on our journey in the country, deepening our commitment to becoming a meaningful part of South Africans’ daily lives.”
Mariam Cassim, Chief Executive Officer for Vodacom Fintech Group and Group Partnerships, said they were committed to partnering with like-minded brands.
“Through strategic collaborations with leading global partners, we are able to extend the benefits our customers enjoy beyond connectivity and into areas that enrich their everyday lives,” said Cassim.
“Our partnership with Amazon is no different. By bringing Amazon’s world-class shopping, convenience and entertainment benefits to our customers, we are enhancing the value proposition we offer.”
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