The Federal Government has advanced the procurement process for four additional satellites approved by President Bola Tinubu, with the exercise reaching the stage of recommending successful bidders after an international competitive bidding process.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing a news conference ahead of the African Space Economy, Innovation and Communication Conference (ASEICC 2026).
He said the bidding exercise involved companies from China, Israel, Europe, the United States and Nigeria.
Udeh said officials from the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the National Space Research and Development Agency and the Bureau of Public Procurement visited the facilities of some satellite manufacturers to verify their claims before recommending qualified bidders.
He said the process had reached the stage of seeking approval for the contract awards, which would require further consideration by the Federal Executive Council due to the significant financial commitment involved.
“The next stage is approval to award the contracts, which will also require Federal Executive Council approval because substantial funding is involved,” he said.
The minister said the proposed satellites would provide services to Nigeria and other African countries interested in accessing them, opening opportunities for regional partnerships and revenue generation.
He added that the conference would offer a platform for African countries and international partners to explore potential collaborations and discuss the benefits of the proposed satellite projects.
The African Earth Observation and Space Conference 2026 is scheduled to hold from November 24 to 27, with the National Space Research and Development Agency serving as host.
Udeh urged African countries to reduce their reliance on foreign companies for satellite manufacturing by developing local expertise and capacity in satellite design and production.
He estimated the value of Africa’s space economy at more than $25bn, with an annual growth rate of 7.97%, describing the sector as a rapidly expanding industry.
The minister said discussions at the previous conference encouraged African countries to see their national space programmes as interconnected ecosystems that could deliver shared benefits through regional cooperation.
