By the end of 2025, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and Beijing-based Galaxy Space have signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication nationwide.
A constellation of low-cost, low-Earth orbit satellites, already proven in Asia and South America, will be integrated into Nigeria’s telecom grid under the agreement, enabling regular smartphones and laptops to connect directly to orbit without using terrestrial towers.
Additionally, the agreement makes promises about technology transfer initiatives, joint R&, D labs, and the production of a CubeSat with Nigerian engineers.
Read more about NITDA’s partnership with the Japanese consortium’s Abuja Innovation Hub.
At the signing in Abuja, NASRDA Director-General Dr. Matthew Adepoju said, “We are leapfrogging the last mile.” No village, field research station, or emergency team will ever again be outside the coverage area when this network becomes operational.
Sam Xiao, the CEO of Galaxy Space, described Nigeria as “the natural launchpad for Africa,” noting that the company’s pioneering “Mini-Spider” constellation recently streamed live video between Beijing and Bangkok on an unmodified handset. He added that the Abuja project might serve as a model for a continental rollout.
More than 25 million Nigerians live outside the reach of 4G signals, according to analysts, and D2D service will provide resilient backbone links for banks, hospitals, and government platforms.
Galaxy Space promises a commercial timeline for Nigeria “within 18 months,” according to Dr. Adepoju, in contrast to Elon Musk’s Starlink, whose direct-to-cell plan is still limited to six high-income nations.
Officials stressed sovereignty and skills, not just bandwidth. The NASRDA chief reaffirmed that local engineers will return to assembling ground terminals and, in the end, satellites after receiving Shenzhen-based training this summer.
The partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s plan to transform Nigeria into a US-$1 trillion digital economy by 2030. Additionally, it aligns with NASRDA’s goal of bringing the country’s first astronauts into space in the upcoming ten years by training 1, 000 youths annually in the space sector.
Industry observers warn that the project will require meticulous spectrum coordination with domestic carriers and stringent cybersecurity controls. However, one ministry official said after the ceremony, “Breakfast can certainly be put in the bush if we can orbit Lagos traffic.”
Source: Channels TV
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