Trending 
NIGCOMSAT Ltd, an agency owned by the Nigerian government, has signed a contract with satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space to build NigComSat-2A, a new geostationary telecommunications satellite designed to expand digital connectivity across Africa.
Executed on September 14, 2026, in Cannes, France, the agreement tasks the French-Italian joint venture with developing a nearly four-tonne satellite built on its Spacebus B2 platform.
The satellite will deliver high-quality television broadcasting, reliable broadband internet, streaming, and voice services across West, Central, and Southern Africa for an operational life exceeding 15 years.
Read More : Otti Urges Igbo Traders to Embrace Manufacturing
The project targets underserved and remote communities where terrestrial networks remain limited, reinforcing Africa’s expanding digital economy.
NIGCOMSAT Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Nkechi Egerton-Idehen hailed the deal as a bold step in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“NigComSat-2A will not only strengthen our nation’s satellite communications capacity but also expand access to reliable broadband and digital services for millions of Africans,” Egerton-Idehen said, emphasising the company’s commitment to continental innovation and economic growth.
Read More : Rivers Assembly Seeks Urgent Action on Flooding
Thales Alenia Space President and CEO Hervé Derrey expressed pride in the partnership, noting that NigComSat-2A will strengthen NIGCOMSAT’s competitive position by meeting the continent’s rising demand for digital content and robust connectivity.
Operating under the Nigerian government’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NIGCOMSAT currently runs NigComSat-1R, which launched in 2011.
The new NigComSat-2A satellite will provide essential network redundancy, drive digital inclusion, and foster widespread economic opportunities where ground-based infrastructure struggles to reach.
