Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract from the Federal Government-owned NIGCOMSAT Ltd to manufacture NigComSat-2A, a new geostationary telecommunications satellite expected to strengthen digital connectivity across Africa.
The company announced in a statement on Wednesday that the agreement was signed in Cannes, France, on September 14, 2026.
The French-Italian joint venture, which is owned 67 per cent by Thales and 33 per cent by Leonardo, will develop the satellite to provide television broadcasting, dependable broadband internet and digital communication services, including voice calls and streaming.
According to the company, NigComSat-2A will have a launch mass of nearly four tonnes and provide coverage across West and Central Africa, extending to Southern Africa.
The satellite is designed to improve connectivity in remote and underserved communities where access to terrestrial communication networks remains limited. It is expected to operate in orbit for more than 15 years and will be built using Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus B2 platform.
NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the agreement marked a significant 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.
She explained that the satellite would increase Nigeria’s satellite communications capacity and extend reliable broadband and digital services to millions of Africans, particularly those in communities with limited connectivity.
Egerton-Idehen added that the initiative reflected NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to expanding access to communication services, encouraging innovation and supporting economic development across Africa.
She also expressed confidence in the partnership with Thales Alenia Space to deliver the project and contribute to the continent’s digital advancement.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space, Hervé Derrey, also welcomed the agreement and appreciated NIGCOMSAT for selecting the company for the project.
“I would like to thank NIGCOMSAT for placing their trust in our company,” he said.
Derrey noted that the new geostationary satellite would help NIGCOMSAT strengthen its market position by providing reliable, high-quality services in response to rising global demand for connectivity and digital content.
He added that the contract further demonstrated the capabilities of the company’s Spacebus B2 product line, which he described as reliable, robust and efficient in terms of delivery timelines.
Established on April 4, 2006, under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NIGCOMSAT Ltd owns and operates Nigeria’s geostationary communications satellites.
Its existing satellite, NigComSat-1R, was launched in December 2011 and was the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The planned NigComSat-2A is expected to strengthen Africa’s growing digital economy by improving the flexibility and resilience of communications infrastructure, particularly in locations where deploying ground-based networks is challenging.
The project is also expected to promote digital inclusion, create wider economic opportunities and improve access to information across the continent.
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