Kenya is actively pursuing a strategic partnership with Nigeria to source critical satellite services, marking a significant step towards intra-African cooperation in space technology. This initiative stems from recent discussions between the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the Kenyan Space Agency (KSA), aimed at fostering collaboration and reducing reliance on non-African providers for essential infrastructure.

The groundwork for this collaboration was laid during a five-day official visit by a delegation from the KSA, led by its Director General, Brigadier (Rtd) Hilary Kipkosogey, to NIGCOMSAT’s control facility in Abuja. They were hosted by the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, where detailed discussions took place regarding the potential scope and benefits of this strategic alliance.

The proposed Nigeria-Kenya space collaboration is multifaceted, encompassing partnerships across three key Nigerian space entities. These include commercial satellite provision through NIGCOMSAT, capacity building and research and development with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and national security engagements involving the Defence Space Agency (DSA). Specifically, Kenya intends to purchase satellite services from Nigeria’s state-owned satellite body, leveraging the capabilities of Nigeria’s current satellite, NigComSat-1R. This arrangement is contingent upon NigComSat-1R's coverage meeting Kenya’s technical requirements.

Beyond the immediate sharing of satellite services, the partnership aims to establish joint programs for knowledge transfer and training in vital areas. These include mission control operations, earth observation, remote sensing, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in space technology. This proactive approach by both nations signifies a concerted effort to challenge the long-standing dependence on external powers for critical infrastructure, demonstrating Africa's capability to provide continent-specific solutions.

Nigeria was chosen for this collaboration due to its highly advanced space program, which Kenya seeks to utilize. With over 25 years of dedicated space development, Nigeria has distinguished itself as one of the few African nations to have successfully launched and operated six satellites across various mission types. This collaboration is expected to significantly enhance the local space economy and address crucial issues such as national security, improved connectivity, and data sovereignty across Kenya and the broader African continent.

While Nigeria’s C-band services (suitable for large corporate networks) and L-band services (ideal for mobile communications) currently extend to Kenya, its Ku-band (for broadcasting) and Ka-band (for internet services) do not yet offer full coverage. These existing coverage gaps are anticipated to be resolved with the successful launch of Nigeria’s forthcoming NigComSat-2A and 2B satellites. For Kenya, partnering with Nigeria offers a cost-effective alternative to undertaking an expensive independent satellite project, providing a ready-made solution for its expanding needs through NigComSat-1R and future planned launches.

The benefits of this collaboration are reciprocal. For Nigeria, securing Kenya as a commercial client for its satellite resources is a strategic move to utilize the significant idle capacity of NIGCOMSAT-1R, where currently only 7% of its capacity is in use, leaving a substantial 93% untapped. This commercial engagement is projected to generate substantial revenue for NIGCOMSAT, with plans to earn ₦8 billion within three years by expanding its broadband services across Nigeria and an annual target of at least ₦3 billion by diversifying beyond broadcasting, satellite broadband, and digital infrastructure. Furthermore, the commercial success with Kenya strengthens the financial argument for securing funding necessary for the planned NigComSat-2A and 2B replacement satellites. NIGCOMSAT has also been active domestically, having previously connected over 45 local government secretariats across eight states to its space satellite services under 'Project 774' in just two months.

Kenya stands to gain immensely by securing a regional supplier of satellite bandwidth, which is vital for mobile network backhaul and advancing digital inclusion, particularly in remote areas inaccessible by fibre optic cables. This deal is crucial for Kenya in bridging its digital divide, expanding 4G/5G mobile networks into rural regions, and bolstering emerging sectors like agritech and e-government with reliable broadband connectivity. By collaborating with NASRDA, Kenya can access and apply Nigeria’s Earth Observation (EO) data to critical sectors such as agriculture, forestry, disaster management, and infrastructure mapping. Moreover, sourcing these advanced services from a fellow African nation presents a more financially viable and flexible option compared to engaging with multinational space companies.

The recent visit served as an exploratory engagement, and the finalization of this collaboration requires several additional technical and legal steps. Both Kenya and NIGCOMSAT will undertake a detailed technical evaluation to ascertain that the existing and future Nigerian satellite capacity aligns with Kenya’s specific requirements. A committee formed during the visit is slated to convene, draft, negotiate, and ultimately finalize a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU will meticulously detail the terms for capacity leasing, pricing structures, training programs, joint research initiatives, and long-term reservations, particularly concerning the upcoming NigComSat-2A and 2B satellites.