Nigeria is planning to assemble some of the ground equipment needed for its next two communications satellites, as it seeks to build more local capacity around its space programme.
Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has selected US satellite communications company Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER ground system to support the NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B satellites, expected for launch in 2028 and 2029. Hughes will provide technical and engineering support for a facility in Nigeria that will assemble satellite terminals.
The terminals, which include antennas and other equipment that transmit signals to satellites and receive them on Earth, will form part of the ground infrastructure needed to operate the new satellites. The plan would move Nigeria beyond simply owning and operating satellites towards making some of the equipment needed to turn them into connectivity services.
If the facility succeeds, Nigeria could build local expertise in satellite hardware, create a base for servicing terminals across Africa and reduce its dependence on imported ground equipment. The harder question is whether assembly will grow into a sustainable industry or remain tied to one government-backed satellite programme.
Originally published by TechCabal.