Nigeria has advanced plans to acquire and launch two next-generation communications satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B, following approval from the Federal Executive Council.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Saturday, 22 August 2026, by Stephen Kwande, Acting Head of Corporate Affairs at Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).
Expanding Capacity and National Connectivity
The project, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s sovereign satellite capabilities and extend connectivity to rural and underserved regions:
- International Manufacturing Partners: The high-throughput satellites will be manufactured and delivered through a partnership with Thales Alenia Space of France and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
- Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion: The new satellites will complement ground-based fiber networks, boosting broadband access for remote communities, education, healthcare, agriculture, and financial services.
- National Security and Defence: The deployment will provide secure communications channels for defense and national security operations, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on external, foreign-owned satellite providers.
- Economic and Local Content Impact: NIGCOMSAT Managing Director Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen noted that the next phase of implementation will focus on contract finalization, technical planning, and local capacity building in satellite engineering, ground infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
With executive approval secured, NIGCOMSAT will now move into formal technical planning, manufacturing, and launch preparations.
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