Nigeria Announces Partnership with Space X on Broadband

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami has announced partnership with Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) to provide broadband access across Nigeria.

The events took place at the ongoing US-Africa Leaders’ Forum, USALF, happening in Washington DC, United States of America.

The Minister’s Technical Assistant (Research & Development), Dr. Femi Adeluyi, in a statement said the announcement was made at the US-Space Forum, where Professor Pantami also served as a speaker.

The Summit is hosted by President Joe Biden of the United States and brought together leaders from across Africa.

The Minister announced Nigeria’s partnership with SpaceX, having approved their application as a High Throughput Satellite, HTS, Low-Earth Orbit, LEO Operator in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.

According to Adeluyi, as part of the partnership, “Space X is to provide broadband access across the whole of Nigeria, enabling nation-wide access to broadband connectivity way ahead of the December 2025 schedule, as outlined in our National Broadband Plan.

With this collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink, Nigeria is set to be the 1st African country to introduce the service.

The nation-wide rollout shall take place before the end of 2022, after conclusion of a few administrative processes.

He stated that “The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under Professor Pantami’s leadership, will continue its committed implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) to ensure that Nigeria’s digital economy remains a leading light, both in Africa and across the globe.”

Also in  Washington, D.C.,Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami held an official meeting with some executives of the World Bank at the Corporate Headquarters in United States of America in attendance both physically and virtually.

The main discussion of the meeting was centered around Digital Identity; Data Protection; Broadband Penetration; Skills Development, among others.

Professor  Pantami appreciated the bank for coming up with the Nigeria Digital Economy Diagnostic report.

The report identified key challenges & opportunities for leveraging the digital economy for diversified & sustained growth.

He also commended for the role he is playing in positioning Nigeria’s Digital Economy on the path of sustainable national development.

Confidence Okwuchi