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Nigeria is set to expand its satellite communications capacity after Thales Alenia Space signed a contract with NIGCOMSAT Ltd to develop NigComSat-2A, a new geostationary telecommunications satellite expected to strengthen digital connectivity across Africa.
The French-Italian aerospace company signed the contract with the Federal Government-owned NIGCOMSAT in Cannes, France, on September 14, 2026.
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture owned 67 per cent by Thales and 33 per cent by Leonardo, will develop the satellite to provide television broadcasting, broadband internet and digital services, including voice communications and streaming.
NigComSat-2A to cover major parts of Africa
According to the company, NigComSat-2A will have a launch mass of nearly four tonnes and is designed to provide coverage across West and Central Africa through to Southern Africa.
The satellite is expected to improve connectivity in underserved and remote communities where terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure remains limited or difficult to deploy.
NigComSat-2A will be based on Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus B2 platform and is designed to provide an expected in-orbit service life of more than 15 years.
The project is expected to give NIGCOMSAT greater flexibility and resilience in delivering communications services, while expanding access to broadband and other digital services across the continent.
NIGCOMSAT targets wider digital access
NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, described the contract as an important milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts.
“The signing of this contract represents a bold step in Nigeria’s journey toward digital transformation,” she said.
“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, especially in underserved and remote communities. This project underscores NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to driving connectivity, fostering innovation, and enabling economic growth across the continent. We are proud to partner with Thales Alenia Space in delivering a satellite that will empower Africa’s digital future.”
The satellite is expected to complement terrestrial connectivity infrastructure by providing an alternative communications channel for locations where fibre, mobile networks and other ground-based infrastructure are challenging or costly to deploy.
Thales highlights Spacebus B2 platform
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space, Hervé Derrey, welcomed the partnership, saying the project would strengthen NIGCOMSAT’s ability to respond to growing demand for connectivity and digital content.
“I would like to thank NIGCOMSAT for placing their trust in our company,” Derrey said.
“NigComSat-2A geostationary satellite will enable NIGCOMSAT to strengthen its competitive position by delivering reliable, high-quality services that meet the growing demand for connectivity and digital content worldwide. This announcement also underscores the success of our Spacebus B2 product line, renowned for its reliability, robustness and time-to-market efficiency.”
The development comes as African economies continue to expand their reliance on digital infrastructure for communications, financial services, education, business and public services.
Satellite systems can play a complementary role in this ecosystem by extending connectivity to areas where the deployment of conventional terrestrial infrastructure faces geographic, economic or logistical constraints.
Nigeria strengthens satellite communications infrastructure
NIGCOMSAT Ltd was established on April 4, 2006, under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and is responsible for owning and operating Nigeria’s geostationary communications satellites.
Its current satellite, NigComSat-1R, was launched in December 2011 and was described as the first satellite of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The development of NigComSat-2A represents a further expansion of Nigeria’s satellite communications infrastructure and could increase the country’s capacity to provide connectivity services across regional markets.
With an expected operational lifespan of more than 15 years and coverage extending from West and Central Africa to Southern Africa, the new satellite is positioned to support the continent’s growing digital economy.
Beyond connectivity, the project is expected to contribute to digital inclusion by improving access to information and communications services in underserved communities while supporting businesses and institutions that depend on reliable digital infrastructure.
For Nigeria, the satellite also provides an opportunity to strengthen its position in Africa’s increasingly interconnected digital infrastructure landscape, where resilient communications networks are becoming increasingly important to economic activity, innovation and access to digital services.
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