NIGCOMSAT picks Hughes JUPITER gateway for its next two satellites
NIGCOMSAT · Hughes
Hughes will supply the ground gateway system and local terminal-assembly support for NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B.
what happened
Hughes Network Systems said Sept. 16 it was selected by Nigeria's NIGCOMSAT to supply a JUPITER scalable gateway system supporting the operator's NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B satellites, per Hughes's own release. The system enables multi-band operation across Ka-, Ku-, and C-bands for broadband, enterprise, and government services across Nigeria and the wider region; Hughes also said it will provide technical guidance, engineering support, and advisory expertise to help enable local assembly of satellite terminals in Nigeria. System preparation is set for this year, with ground systems, terminals, and local assembly targeted to be ready ahead of the satellites' planned launches in early 2028 and 2029. Financial terms were not disclosed.
why it matters
The deal extends the pattern of African governments building out sovereign satellite ground infrastructure alongside their space segment, and gives Hughes a foothold in Nigeria's push to localize terminal manufacturing rather than just import ground equipment. For Hughes, it is a fresh African government ground-systems customer as NIGCOMSAT scales beyond its current fleet.
for who
Ground-segment vendors, sovereign satellite operators in Africa
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- NIGCOMSAT, Hughes
- Category
- contract
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 4 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-09-16
- Published
- 2026-09-18 17:33 UTC