By 2029, Nigeria would have launched two communications satellites into space. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Egerton-Idehen, one will go up in 2028 and the other in 2029.
One of the satellites will replace the current NIGCOMSAT-1R which will expire soon. The new satellites were recently approved by the federal government as a way of maintaining the country’s strong footprint in the satellite space.
While these satellites ordinarily would create economic turn-around for countries with deliberate intentions to use satellite earnings improve their economies, they may not generate the needed economic transformation for Nigeria. At least, not with the poor statistics of broadband capacity utilisation, low patronage from government agencies and passive support from government which has dogged the state-owned satellite operator.
As at August last year, the satellite company could only utilise just about 7% of its broadband capacity, leaving a whopping 93% underutilised. Again, out of the company’s N8 billion revenue projection for three years, it could only generate a paltry N2billion in 2025 which was an improvement on the N650 million the previous year. Even that, was based on managerial ingenuity and innovations the company put in place to reduce the wrong perception that it is a bureaucratic entity.
But in sharp difference, other countries in Africa who even trailed Nigeria, in terms of satellite footprints are posting enviable statistics. While Nigeria made the investment without critical revenue recoup modalities, countries like Egypt, South Africa, Kenya and others are coasting home with enormous satellite gains.
They realised quite early that communication satellites are rapidly transforming how countries connect, govern, educate, and grow their economies. From North Africa to East Africa, governments are leveraging space-based infrastructure to bridge connectivity gaps; yet, despite early investments, Nigeria is struggling to extract comparable value.
The Egypt example
For Egypt, satellite communications is a central pillar of national digital strategy. In 2019 the country launched theTIBA-1 communications satellite which marked a turning point in its economy. It was designed to provide broadband coverage across the country and beyond.
Today, the results are measurable -12 million satellite internet users in 2026; 95% territorial satellite coverage; 57% overall internet penetration and 45GB average monthly data usage per user
These milestones have enabled reliable connectivity in deserts and remote communities, increased growth in telemedicine and distance learning, as well as fostering stronger government digital services and financial inclusion systems.
Egypt is deliberately making satellite a primary infrastructure for national development and and not just backup system.
Kenya and South Africa
In Kenya and South Africa, the satellite story is even more dynamic, driven by partnerships with private sector innovators.
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In Kenya, satellite-to-mobile technology trials now allow ordinary smartphones to connect directly to satellites, eliminating the need for towers in remote zones.
In South Africa, telecom operators are integrating low-earth orbit, LEO satellites to extend broadband into under-served rural regions and support real-time services like video and cloud computing.
These developments are critical in a continent where only 38% of Africans had internet access as of 2024 and rural connectivity remains as low as 23%
These economies are using satellites to effectively bypass the limitations of fibre and towers, delivering connectivity where traditional infrastructure cannot reach. They are using it to plug infrastructure gaps that would otherwise take decades and billions of dollars to close.
Unlike Egypt or Kenya, Nigeria has not fully leveraged satellites to expand digital public services, drive rural broadband penetration and enable large-scale telemedicine and tele-education
However, based on the expected new satellites, the state-owned satellite company says hope of staying strong in the orbit is high. It is even looking beyond the provision of local broadband services to broadcast and telecommunications companies, but making a bold move to become security surveillance carrier hub to most African countries.
Egerton-Edehen disclosed this recently at a press conference in Lagos. She also disclosed that her satellite company regained a significant share of Nigeria’s broadcast and government communications market which eluded it after a space misharp that affected its operations in 2008
She said the company now carries over 50% of the country’s broadcast traffic, marking a notable turnaround from its position two years ago.
She claimed that key institutions such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Galaxy Backbone, and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) are now back on its network, while telcos and other service providers are being won as new customers. especially for government agencies.
She however regretted lack of government patronage saying it makes no sense for government to make huge investments on satellites and go elsewhere to sources services such satellites can offer.
For her, “Our funding is coming from the government. It is taxpayers’ money. It doesn’t make sense to invest a lot of money in something, and when you need the services of such investment, you go somewhere else to source for it. That would amount to wasted investment”, she said.
Although Egerton-Idehen believes that when the two satellites are up and running, they are expected to provide security within the borders and neighbouring countries and support the security agencies with real-time data collection and intelligence, if current trends continue, Nigeria could remain a major digital market but not a leader in the satellite-powered future shaping Africa.
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