{
  "id": 3945527,
  "title": "Nigeria picks French, Israeli firms to build new communications satellites",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/nigeria-picks-french-israeli-firms-to-build-new-communications",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T11:12:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCabal",
    "slug": "techcabal",
    "url": "https://techcabal.com/2026/08/28/nigeria-picks-french-israeli-firms-for-new-satellites/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria has chosen French aerospace firm Thales Alenia Space and Israeli company IAI to construct its upcoming communications satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B. This decision comes after the Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition and deployment of the satellites earlier this month. The two new satellites will help expand Nigeria's broadband capacity and replace the aging NIGCOMSAT-1R, which was launched in 2011 and is nearing the end of its 15-year design life. NIGCOMSAT-1R is projected to remain operational until 2028, providing a limited window for the government to finance, build, and launch its replacements. The project's final cost remains undisclosed as financing is still being finalized; however, satellite vendors will be backed by export-import banks. The selection of Thales Alenia Space and IAI follows a lengthy procurement process that began over two years ago, with international aerospace companies expressing interest in participating. The new satellites will not only replace NIGCOMSAT-1R but also provide additional capacity for broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity, and government services. Their presence will complement Nigeria's existing fibre and mobile networks, particularly in areas where terrestrial networks are too costly or difficult to deploy. The satellites' potential to extend services to underserved communities highlights the importance of affordable satellite services in further reducing the digital divide in Nigeria.",
  "summary": "French aerospace company Thales Alenia Space and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have been selected to build Nigeria’s next communications satellites",
  "key_points": [
    "French firm Thales Alenia Space to build NIGCOMSAT-2A",
    "Israeli company IAI to construct NIGCOMSAT-2B",
    "Satellites aim to expand Nigeria's broadband capacity"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}