Nigcomsat CEO Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen. Photo: Nigcomsat
Nigeria has an ambitious goal to increase its broadband penetration rate from 50% to more than 70% by end of 2027. Nigerian satellite operator Nigcomsat has a role to play in that expansion as the national satellite operator. Earlier this year, Nigcomsat announced a partnership with Eutelsat Group to deliver Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) services in Nigeria to communities, governments and enterprises.
In this interview, Nigcomsat CEO Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen details the company’s multi-orbit strategy and recent agreement with Eutelsat, and how satellite is part of expanding affordable broadband access in Nigeria
VIA SATELLITE: Why did you decide to partner with Eutelsat to bring LEO services to Nigeria? What customer segments will benefit from this deal?
Egerton-Idehen: Nigcomsat has a multi-orbit strategy, Our partnership with Eutelsat aligns with this. It is a strategic move to increase Nigeria’s broadband penetration especially for enterprise sectors by leveraging advanced LEO satellite technology. Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO network offers high-speed, low-latency connectivity, which is essential for enhancing communication services across Nigeria. This collaboration aims to serve key customer segments, including government agencies, enterprises and underserved communities, by providing reliable internet access that supports applications in education, healthcare, agriculture, and disaster management.
VIA SATELLITE: Did you talk to other players other than Eutelsat when looking to bring LEO services to customers?
Egerton-Idehen: We evaluated multiple potential partners. After thorough assessments, we determined that Eutelsat’s technological expertise and alignment with our mission made them the ideal partner to introduce LEO services effectively in Nigeria.
VIA SATELLITE: How does the deal with Eutelsat impact your capital expenditure plans for new satellites? What are your plans in investing in more assets?
Egerton-Idehen: Partnering with Eutelsat allows us to deliver on our multi-orbit strategy in alignment with technological advancements. This hybrid approach involves upgrading our existing Geostationary fleet with new satellite acquisitions, while combining this with strategic partnerships for LEO services. It does not deter our capital expenditure plans for significant investment in new Geostationary satellite assets but strikes a balance between cost, capacity, and flexibility. We are proactively planning for the replacement of our Geostationary satellite, NIGCOMSAT-1R, which is approaching the end of its lifespan in 2026. We are in talks with investors to support this initiative and are open for more, ensuring the continuity and enhancement of our satellite services.
VIA SATELLITE: Would you look to invest in your own LEO assets as well, or go with the partnership model?
Egerton-Idehen: Currently, our focus is on maximizing the benefits of our partnership with Eutelsat to swiftly deliver LEO services across Nigeria. While we are not ruling out the possibility of investing in our own LEO assets in the future, the partnership model enables us to provide immediate, high-quality connectivity solutions to meet the pressing needs of our diverse customer base.
VIA SATELLITE: As the CEO of Nigcomsat, what do you see as the key challenges for the company over the next 12 to 18 months?
Egerton-Idehen: Over the next 12 to 18 months, our primary challenges include securing partnerships and delivering on the replacement of NigComSat-1R to enhance service reliability and expand coverage. There are still opportunities to expand our market reach amidst growing competition from terrestrial and emerging satellite providers while increasing adoption of satellite broadband across Nigeria and Africa. We also want to secure the necessary funding and strategic partnerships to expand our satellite fleet and ground infrastructure. We also want to foster collaboration with stakeholders to drive sustainable digital inclusion. We plan to expand affordable connectivity to underserved and remote areas through initiatives like the Project LG 774 connectivity, as well as strengthening data security and advocating for localized data hosting to ensure national digital sovereignty. Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustaining and enhancing our service offerings as we remain focused on innovation, partnerships and strategic investments to position Nigcomsat as a key enabler of Africa’s digital transformation.
VIA SATELLITE: How are you looking to reduce the digital divide in Nigeria? How important will satellite be in being able to do this?
Egerton-Idehen: Reducing Nigeria’s digital divide is central to our mission. Satellite technology is fundamental in this endeavor, as it can provide connectivity to remote and underserved areas where terrestrial infrastructure is lacking. Among other initiatives, we aim to deliver affordable, high-speed internet to unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria, empowering communities and individuals with the digital tools necessary for socio-economic development.
VIA SATELLITE: How important is it for Nigeria to have its own dedicated satellite capability?
Egerton-Idehen: Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, with a land mass about the same size as California, Nevada, and Utah combined, yet a broadband penetration of about 50%. To meet our ambitious goals for more than 70% broadband penetration, delivering meaningful broadband connection will require a multi-access approach, hence satellite technology is important. Having dedicated satellite capabilities is vital for three key areas: Nigeria’s sovereignty, security, and sustainable development. It ensures national security, supports critical infrastructure and enables the country to independently manage its communication needs. Moreover, it positions Nigeria as a key player in the global satellite communications arena, fostering innovation and economic growth.
VIA SATELLITE: What can Nigcomsat do to bring satellite more to the mainstream in Nigeria?
Egerton-Idehen: Our nation has an ambitious target of boosting Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate to 70 percent while providing coverage for at least 80% of the population, especially the underserved and unserved populations by end of 2027. This will require a lot from terrestrial and satellite operators like Nigcomsat.
It is an opportunity for Nigcomsat to bring satellite technology to the mainstream in Nigeria as the nation’s foremost satellite operator. We are focusing on awareness campaigns, capacity building, and developing affordable service packages tailored to various user needs. Events like the Nigerian Satellite Week held in October 2024 highlight the importance of satellite technology in driving innovation and economic growth, encouraging adoption across different sectors.
We are also driving satellite adoption in Nigeria by expanding affordable broadband access through initiatives like the ‘Local Government 774 Connectivity Project,’ ensuring high-speed internet reaches underserved areas. Our involvement in the Digital Switchover project of the Federal Government of Nigeria also provides a unique opportunity to mainstream satellite technology in Nigeria. We are leveraging our extensive satellite and direct-to-home (DTH) infrastructure to ensure that digital signals reach every part of the country improving broadcast quality and accessibility even in remote areas.
We are also partnering with telecom operators to integrate satellite with 5G and fiber networks, enhancing nationwide connectivity. Additionally, we are raising awareness of satellite’s role in e-learning, e-health, fintech, and smart city solutions while advocating for policies that promote local satellite usage. Through these efforts, we are making satellite communications more accessible, mainstream and essential for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
VIA SATELLITE: How can satellite help build a sustainable future in Nigeria? Does Nigeria need to spend more on space-based capabilities?
Egerton-Idehen: Satellite technology is critical to building a sustainable future in Nigeria by enabling nationwide connectivity, enhancing disaster management, supporting precision agriculture, improving e-learning and telemedicine and driving smart city development. It plays a key role in bridging the digital divide, especially in rural and underserved areas, ensuring inclusive economic growth.
Nigeria has been involved in space based activities for over two decades now, launching our first satellite in 2003. We have ambitious plans to further grow the space sector in Nigeria, promoting homegrown space developments. This will require continuous investments in the sector. Yes, Nigeria must invest more in space-based capabilities to strengthen national security, data sovereignty, and technological innovation. Satellite technology contributes to sustainability by enabling efficient resource management. Increased investment in satellite infrastructure is essential for the nation’s sustainable development. Expanding our satellite infrastructure will reduce dependency on foreign services, create local job opportunities, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s space economy. Sustainable development hinges on reliable, sovereign and future-ready satellite solutions.
VIA SATELLITE: What is the next phase for Nigeria’s space plans? What would you like to see happen next?
Egerton-Idehen: My vision for the sector is to evolve it to the extent where we are not just consumers of space technology but are involved in creating innovative solutions in the space sector. Where we as a nation are massively participating in various parts of the space value chain. This can hopefully result in a thriving startup space ecosystem which could expand beyond Nigeria to the region and across Africa. We aim to attract global partnerships and collaboration to support these projects, reinforcing Nigeria’s position in the space industry.
VIA SATELLITE: Where do you see the opportunities to grow the business for Nigcomsat over the next 12 months?
Egerton-Idehen: In the coming year, we see growth opportunities in expanding broadband services to underserved regions, developing customized solutions for various industries (defense, healthcare, agriculture, education) and enhancing partnerships with both local and international stakeholders to broaden our service offerings beyond Nigeria.
VIA SATELLITE: Are you looking to collaborate with more global players?
Egerton-Idehen: Yes, we are actively seeking and open to collaborations with global partners to leverage advanced technologies, share expertise, and expand our service reach. Such partnerships are crucial for accelerating innovation and achieving our mission of providing comprehensive satellite communication solutions.
VIA SATELLITE: Finally, what trends do you see emerging on the Nigerian and African communications landscape? Where do you hope to position Nigcomsat?
Egerton-Idehen: Africa’s communications landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet, mobile connectivity and smart infrastructure. Key trends shaping the industry include the expansion of broadband access, adoption of satellite-enabled connectivity, 5G rollout, growth in digital financial services, and an increased focus on cybersecurity and data sovereignty. We observe a growing demand for high-speed internet, increased mobile connectivity, and the integration of digital solutions across various sectors in Nigeria and Africa. I also envision adoption of solutions that will leverage the complementary nature of satellite and terrestrial technology like the D2D devices and IoT to drive smart homes, smart cities, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
To stay ahead, we are expanding our satellite capabilities, upgrading our existing infrastructure to global standards, strengthening partnerships, and investing in digital inclusion initiatives that support sectors like education, healthcare and e-governance. As Africa moves towards a smart, connected future, Nigcomsat aims to be the preferred satellite operator, providing secure, high-speed and sustainable communication solutions that complement terrestrial networks, drive economic growth and technological advancement, thereby enhancing overall connectivity.
