Nigeria has chosen two foreign companies to build its next communications satellites. French firm Thales Alenia Space will handle part of the work. Israel Aerospace Industries will handle the rest.
The Federal Executive Council approved the deal on August 22. The approval covers two satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B. As a result, Nigeria’s satellite replacement plan now enters its next stage.
The new satellites will support broadband and broadcasting. They will also power government communication and business connectivity. Officials say these satellites will reach areas where fibre cables cost too much to install.
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Timing plays a big role here. Nigeria’s current satellite, NIGCOMSAT-1R, launched back in December 2011. It had a 15-year design life, so 2026 marks that milestone. However, engineers can stretch its fuel supply and keep it running until 2028. This gives Nigeria a narrow window to build and launch a replacement in time.
The full cost of the project remains unknown for now. NIGCOMSAT’s managing director, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the final figure will come out once financing closes. She added that the vendors themselves will provide the funding. Export-import banks in France and Israel will back that funding.
This setup makes sense when you consider the costs involved. Building the satellites is only part of the budget. The project also needs money for launch services, insurance, ground stations, and staff training.
Interestingly, this selection process took over two years to complete. NIGCOMSAT started outlining its technical needs in early 2024. The company then issued a formal call for interest that June. Several major companies joined the race afterward. Airbus, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, and Turkish Aerospace Industries all competed for the contract. In the end, though, the French and Israeli firms won.
The contract covers much more than just building the satellites. It includes launch services and in-orbit testing. It also covers control centres, tracking stations, and simulators. On top of that, the deal includes technology transfer and staff training. This means Nigerian engineers could gain real experience in satellite operations.
Once deployed, NIGCOMSAT-2A will sit at 42.5 degrees east. The project also includes backup ground infrastructure. This backup system should keep operations stable if problems come up.
So why should everyday Nigerians care about this? Broadband penetration currently sits at 56.7 percent, based on data from the Nigerian Communications Commission. Fibre remains the best choice for fast internet in cities. But rural areas often lack that kind of infrastructure. Satellites can close that gap without requiring miles of buried cable.
Still, more satellite capacity alone won’t fix Nigeria’s connectivity problems. Internet providers and telecom companies must turn that capacity into affordable services. Otherwise, high equipment costs or expensive data plans could limit who actually benefits.
Beyond broadband, this project also carries strategic weight. The new satellites could strengthen Nigeria’s communication systems during emergencies. They may also reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign satellites for sensitive government work.
According to TheCable, the launch will happen in two phases. The first satellite should launch by the end of 2028. The second will likely follow in 2029 or 2030. This timeline gives NIGCOMSAT some breathing room, since the current satellite should last until 2028 anyway.
Ultimately, success here depends on execution. Nigeria still needs to finalize financing before manufacturing can begin. Testing and launch will follow after that. If everything goes as planned, these satellites could transform broadband access in underserved communities. But if delays or funding issues arise, Nigeria risks ending up with expensive satellite capacity that fails to close the digital divide it was built to solve
