Nigeria to assemble satellite ground equipment locally for 2028-2029 launches

Nigeria plans to assemble satellite ground equipment locally for its upcoming NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B communications satellites, slated for launch in 2028 and 2029. The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has chosen Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER ground system to support the satellites, and will establish a facility in Nigeria to assemble satellite terminals—antennas and related equipment that transmit and receive signals. Preparation is expected to begin in 2026, with the ground system and local manufacturing footprint ready before the satellite launches. The terminals will support Ka-, Ku- and C-band services for broadband, enterprise and government users across Nigeria and the region. This effort moves Nigeria beyond merely owning and operating satellites toward building local expertise in satellite hardware, reducing dependence on imported ground equipment, and potentially creating a base for servicing terminals across Africa. NIGCOMSAT says the project could spur job creation, innovation, economic diversification and greater control over the country’s satellite communications infrastructure. The satellites themselves will be built by Thales Alenia Space and Israel Aerospace Industries, while Hughes develops the ground segment. Existing ground infrastructure in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and Gombe will be complemented by the new assembly capability. Will this local assembly grow into a sustainable industry that offers training and business opportunities for Nigerians, or remain tied primarily to the government-backed satellite programme?

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/09/18/nigcomsat-picks-hughes-for-new-satellite-ground-systems/