The federal government of Nigeria has approved $2 billion to boost Nigeria’s space economy, focusing on new satellite launches, increased industry revenue, and expanded broadband access to underserved communities.
Announcing the development at the opening of the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, confirmed the acquisition of two new satellites—NigComSat 2A and 2B.
He described the investment as a “defining commitment” to national development, digital sovereignty, and economic competitiveness.
Tijani highlighted the strategic importance of satellite infrastructure, noting that beyond connectivity, satellites play a key role in agriculture, education, security, emergency response, and cross-border commerce.
He also pointed out that Nigeria remains the only West African country with an operational communication satellite, positioning the nation as a regional hub for digital connectivity.
The minister added that federal investments, including 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables and thousands of telecom towers, are being integrated with satellite systems to deepen broadband penetration nationwide.
Welcoming participants, Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs Jane Nkechi Egerton-Ideyen, said the country’s space programme had entered a new phase of intentional growth.
She highlighted stronger institutional capacity, expanding partnerships, and measurable economic impact, revealing that NIGCOMSAT’s revenue surged from under $650 million in 2023 to over $2 billion in 2025, driven by reforms, new commercial agreements, and growing demand for satellite broadband services across Africa.
Egerton-Ideyen also noted that Nigeria has launched seven space assets in just over two decades, emphasizing that the country’s focus is shifting from prestige to practical impact—extending connectivity, improving livelihoods, and driving inclusive development.
She disclosed that over 500 young Nigerians were trained in satellite technology last year, while more than 50 startups have benefited from the agency’s accelerator programme.
Ongoing initiatives, such as Project 774, aim to expand broadband access to all local government areas, improving service delivery in rural healthcare, education, agriculture, and commerce, particularly in areas lacking traditional telecom infrastructure.
Both speakers underscored the need for collaboration between government, private sector, academia, and international partners to fully unlock the potential of Nigeria’s space economy.
Tijani also announced a N12 billion Digital Economy Research Fund to support innovation across Nigerian universities.
