Nigeria Approves NIGCOMSAT-2A/2B Satellite Deployment for 2027

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Nigeria's Federal Executive Council has approved the procurement and deployment of two next-generation communication satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B, marking a new phase in the country's digital and communication infrastructure development. The two satellites are expected to expand Nigeria's satellite capacity, improve broadband connectivity, and reduce the country's dependence on foreign satellite infrastructure.

Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), stated that this approval is a significant step for the agency and the nation's digital infrastructure development. She noted that the two satellites are next-generation High-Throughput Communication Satellites (HTS), which not only expand Nigeria's satellite assets but also hold significance for enhancing the country's digital sovereignty. Egerton-Idehen said this outcome was built on months of meetings, reviews, and preparations by the NIGCOMSAT team.

Under the plan, the two satellites will provide additional capacity for broadband expansion, support key economic sectors, unlock digital opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria's role in Africa's digital and space economy. Thales Alenia Space and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have been selected to deliver the satellites.

Following the Federal Executive Council's approval, the project has entered its next implementation phase, including engaging technical partners, finalizing contracts, and completing the technical preparations required for satellite manufacturing, launch, and deployment. NIGCOMSAT had previously initiated the procurement process, with a target launch window of 2027/2028. The agency has also completed spectrum preparations, submitting filings to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for orbital positions at 9.5° West and 16° West to support the future deployment and operation of the satellites.

This satellite expansion is part of NIGCOMSAT's broader strategy to improve broadband access in Nigeria. The agency is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy on "Project 774," which aims to extend reliable internet connectivity to all 774 local government council secretariats. NIGCOMSAT reports that several local government areas have already been connected under this initiative.

NIGCOMSAT is also pursuing public-private partnerships to expand connectivity and bridge the digital divide. Its collaborations with Infratel Africa, Hotspot Network Limited, Dimension Data, and INQ focus on connectivity programs for underserved areas and rural communities. Satellite infrastructure is also being used to support national security and defense, with the agency providing satellite communications and related services to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Navy, and security-focused manufacturing partners.

As part of its institutional transformation plan, NIGCOMSAT has also implemented a series of technical and operational upgrades, including restoring previously dormant Ka, Ku, and C-band frequencies, upgrading communication hub stations using Newtec and iDirect technologies, and deploying modern customer relationship management and internal systems. Egerton-Idehen stated that the satellite project has given the team the responsibility of ensuring the investment delivers tangible benefits to Nigeria, with the next phase focusing not only on the technical delivery of the satellites but also on developing the operational infrastructure and capabilities needed for service commercialization.

The approval of NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B is expected to enhance Nigeria's domestic satellite capabilities and support the country's broader digital transformation agenda. By increasing broadband capacity, advancing private sector partnerships, and covering applications in connectivity and national security, the project is poised to make satellite infrastructure a key pillar of Nigeria's digital autonomy and technological resilience.