Connectivity to drive growth of Africa’s satellite industry, NIGCOMSAT CEO says

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The future of Africa’s satellite industry will be driven primarily by connectivity rather than launch or manufacturing, according to Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited.

Speaking at a recent industry conference in Washington, D.C., Egerton-Idehen outlined key trends expected to shape the sector over the next five to ten years, emphasizing the growing commercial value of satellite broadband across the continent.

She noted that Africa’s satellite broadband market is currently valued between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion, with annual growth rates estimated at 8 to 15 percent, outpacing global averages. The expansion is being driven by rising demand for connectivity, particularly in rural and underserved areas, alongside the emergence of low Earth orbit satellite technologies.

According to her, while traditional geostationary satellite systems have experienced slower growth, newer LEO-based solutions are accelerating adoption, positioning satellite connectivity as a core component of digital infrastructure rather than a backup option.

Despite this shift, satellite television remains the dominant revenue segment, generating approximately $5.5 billion and serving around 27 million households across Africa. However, Egerton-Idehen indicated that this dominance may decline over time as broadband services expand and evolve.

She added that future growth opportunities will extend beyond connectivity to include government services, mobility solutions, Earth observation, and Internet of Things applications.

Egerton-Idehen also highlighted the role of innovation in unlocking value within the sector, noting that opportunities for African technology professionals lie not only in building satellite systems but also in developing applications, platforms, and data-driven services that leverage satellite infrastructure.

Industry stakeholders say the evolving landscape presents significant opportunities for investment and innovation as Africa’s demand for digital services continues to grow.