Nigeria Approves Two New Satellites to Expand Communications Capacity

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council has approved the acquisition of two high-throughput communications satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B, as the country moves to expand satellite capacity and reduce its reliance on a single foreign technology partner. France’s Thales Alenia Space and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will manufacture the satellites. NIGCOMSAT plans to launch NIGCOMSAT-2A by the end of 2028, followed by NIGCOMSAT-2B in 2029 or 2030. The approval allows Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) to begin contract negotiations with the two manufacturers. The government has not disclosed the cost or financing structure for the project.

New Satellites to Expand Coverage

The two satellites will provide additional capacity for broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity and government services. NigComSat also expects them to support terrestrial broadband networks in areas where conventional infrastructure is difficult or expensive to deploy.

The investment comes as Nigeria looks to expand broadband access in rural and underserved communities. The government also wants stronger communications infrastructure for critical services, including security and defence. NigComSat Director-General Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen has described the project as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and expand the state-owned operator’s role in the satellite market.

Nigeria Diversifies Its Satellite Partners

The choice of Thales Alenia Space and IAI represents a change in Nigeria’s satellite programme, where Chinese companies have played a major role since the launch of NigComSat-1 in 2007. China built and launched NigComSat-1 aboard a Long March-3B rocket. The satellite failed in 2008 and was replaced by NigComSat-1R, which China built and launched in 2011.

NigComSat-1R has a planned operational life of 15 years and is approaching the end of that period. NigComSat began seeking international investment for its replacement in 2024 and later partnered with European satellite operator Eutelsat to provide low-Earth-orbit services alongside its existing geostationary satellite capacity. The new contracts will give Nigeria a wider group of international technology partners as competition for satellite and connectivity markets grows across Africa.

Financing and Delivery Still to Come

The FEC approval allows NigComSat to move into contract discussions with Thales Alenia Space and IAI, bringing the project closer to the production stage. The government has not disclosed the cost of the two satellites or how the acquisition will be financed. NigComSat plans to launch NIGCOMSAT-2A by the end of 2028, followed by NIGCOMSAT-2B in 2029 or 2030. The schedule comes as NigComSat-1R approaches the end of its planned 15-year operating life, making the new satellites important for maintaining and expanding the company’s available capacity.

Once deployed, the satellites will add capacity for broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity and government services. They are also expected to extend coverage to areas where terrestrial networks can be difficult or costly to build.