WorldStage– The Nigeria Communication Satellite agency, NIGCOMSAT, has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space to build the new NigComSat-2A geostationary communication satellite.
This follows the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval to procure two next-generation satellites (NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B) to replace the aging NigComSat-1R.
NIGCOMSAT signed the official agreement with France’s Thales Alenia Space for NigComSat-2A, utilizing the Spacebus B2 platform.
Additional partnerships involve international collaboration including Israel Aerospace Industries.
The targeted launch window for NigComSat-2A is set between 2027 and 2028, with NigComSat-2B expected to follow around 2029 to succeed the 2011-launched NigComSat-1R ahead of its end-of-life.
According to sources in NigComSat, core objectives of the project include expanding high-speed broadband and digital inclusion across West, Central, and Southern Africa; reducing reliance on foreign satellite infrastructure and ensure greater data sovereignty; and supporting national security, defense operations, intelligence gathering, and tracking criminal elements.
NIGCOMSAT reported major financial expansion, scaling revenue up significantly through broader enterprise and broadband service deployments across African markets.
