Nigeria carries $2 billion satellite programme past 95 percent completion
Procurement for a six-satellite programme, including two communications spacecraft to replace the ageing NIGCOMSAT-1R, is nearly complete as the operator moves toward signing contracts.
Nigeria's procurement process for six new satellites under a programme estimated at $2 billion has reached 95 percent completion, according to a Nairametrics report published on 2 October, moving the country closer to signing contracts with foreign technical partners for the manufacture and deployment of the space assets.
Two of the satellites — NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B — are communications spacecraft intended to replace and expand capacity beyond NIGCOMSAT-1R, which launched in December 2011 with an expected operational lifespan of about 15 years.
From approval to contract
The Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition in August 2026, and Thales Alenia Space signed a contract in September to build NigComSat-2A — a geostationary satellite based on the Spacebus B2 platform, with a launch mass of nearly four tonnes and an in-orbit service life of more than 15 years.
Israel Aerospace Industries is lined up to deliver the second satellite. The programme targets launch windows around 2028-2029, with ground-station preparation beginning in 2026.
What the capacity is for
NIGCOMSAT says the new satellites will strengthen broadband coverage in underserved and unserved communities where terrestrial infrastructure is difficult or uneconomic to build, while supporting broadcasting, enterprise and government services and reducing dependence on foreign satellite infrastructure.
In late September, NIGCOMSAT rejected allegations of wrongdoing around the procurement of the two satellites, saying the process complied with the Public Procurement Act and the guidelines of the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Sources
Nairametrics, “Nigeria's $2 billion satellite procurement reaches 95% completion” (2 Oct 2026); BusinessDay, “Nigeria advances satellite expansion as FEC approves NIGCOMSAT-2A, 2B” (Aug 2026); Thales Alenia Space press release (14 Sep 2026); ITWeb Africa (15 Sep 2026); Space in Africa (23 Aug 2026).
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Chinedu Nwosu
Technology Editor
Chinedu Nwosu writes for BusinessPress.
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