FG approves NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B satellites to cut foreign reliance
By Aboki Forex —
The Federal Executive Council has approved the acquisition and deployment of two next-generation High-Throughput Communication Satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B. The move is expected to expand Nigeria's satellite capacity and reduce dependence on external satellite infrastructure.
Approval and partners
The approval, disclosed on Saturday by NIGCOMSAT's Acting Head of Corporate Affairs Stephen Kwande, moves the project into its next phase of implementation. The satellites will be delivered by Thales Alenia Space of France and Israel Aerospace Industries.
NIGCOMSAT will lead implementation in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
What NIGCOMSAT says
NIGCOMSAT Managing Director Nkechi Egerton-Idehen said the approval marks an important milestone for both the company and Nigeria.
“NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B will strengthen our national satellite capacity, expand connectivity and support critical communications across the country,” she said. “Our priority is to translate this investment into measurable value for Nigerians and position NIGCOMSAT for stronger impact within the global satellite and digital economy.”
She said the satellites would complement terrestrial broadband networks, particularly in areas where conventional infrastructure is difficult or costly to deploy. “The deployment is expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard-to-reach communities, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria's capacity to deliver satellite-enabled services,” she said.
Egerton-Idehen added that the additional satellite capacity will support high-capacity broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity, government services, and emerging digital applications. The satellites will also serve national security and defence communications requirements, alongside improving access to digital services in education, healthcare, agriculture, and financial services.
Background and next steps
The project is expected to create opportunities across the satellite and digital technology value chain, including telecommunications, broadcasting, ground infrastructure, systems integration, technical support, and satellite-enabled services. It will also support indigenous capacity development through knowledge transfer, local manufacturing, professional development, and specialised expertise in satellite engineering, network operations, and cybersecurity.
With FEC approval secured, the next stage involves formal engagement with technology partners, contract finalisation, technical planning, and other preparatory activities for the manufacture, launch, and deployment of the satellites.
Nigeria's move to acquire NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B follows years of efforts to replace the country's ageing communications satellite and expand the use of satellite infrastructure for broadband and other digital services. In July 2024, NIGCOMSAT began seeking global investors to replace NIGCOMSAT-1R, launched in 2011 and approaching the end of its 15-year operational lifespan.
By January 2025, NIGCOMSAT had partnered with Eutelsat to deploy low-Earth-orbit satellite services in Nigeria. In August 2025, NIGCOMSAT was targeting N8 billion in revenue within three years through broadband expansion, after disclosing that only about 7% of its broadband capacity was being utilised.
In March 2026, NIGCOMSAT said its revenue had risen from N650 million in 2023 to more than N2 billion in 2025, while confirming plans for NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B, then scheduled for launch in 2028 and 2029.
What it means for Nigeria
The new satellite programme comes as Nigeria expands its digital broadcasting infrastructure through the ongoing Digital Switch-Over programme. At the national launch in June 2026, Communications Minister Bosun Tijani said President Bola Tinubu had approved two additional satellites to strengthen Nigeria's communications capacity.
Reducing reliance on foreign satellite infrastructure could cut future foreign exchange spending and improve connectivity for underserved communities, supporting the wider digital economy.