NIGCOMSAT Targets Innovation Lift-Off with Second Space-Tech Accelerator for Nigerian Startups
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NIGCOMSAT Targets Innovation Lift-Off with Second Space-Tech Accelerator for Nigerian Startups
By Gloria Sarauniya Usman,
ABUJA, NIGERIA June, 2025 -
In a bold effort to propel Nigeria into the forefront of global space technology, the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd has unveiled plans to launch the second phase of its Space-Tech Accelerator Programme, aimed at turning Nigeria’s tech-savvy youth into leaders in orbital innovation.
Scheduled for launch on July 18, 2025, in Abuja, the initiative will provide a launchpad for startups developing solutions powered by satellite and space-based technologies. These solutions will tackle pressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, logistics, climate resilience, and digital infrastructure.
“Placing space technology in the hands of Nigeria’s brightest innovators is a bold step toward sustainable national development,” said Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and CEO of NIGCOMSAT Ltd. “This programme is not just about tech; it’s about positioning Nigeria within the global space economy.”
Themed “Innovation in Orbit: Empowering the Next Generation of Space-Tech Entrepreneurs,” the 2025 edition will spotlight emerging sectors and foster an inclusive innovation culture, particularly with increased participation of female-led startups—a priority for NIGCOMSAT.
According to Mrs. Maureen Nzekwe, Programme Coordinator, the first cohort received 281 applications, with 35 startups selected to pitch at the Demo Day in October 2025, where they will present their solutions to investors, policymakers, and global stakeholders.
“The participation of women in this year’s applications has doubled,” Nzekwe noted, “reflecting our intentional strategy to empower female founders in science, technology, and innovation.”
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem has seen exponential growth, yet few programs have targeted space-enabled entrepreneurship—a critical frontier with the potential to influence everything from precision farming to disaster response and remote education.
The accelerator programme aims to bridge this gap by:
Offering technical mentorship and capacity building
Providing access to investor matchmaking opportunities
Facilitating policy engagement and global exposure
By providing structured support to space-focused ventures, NIGCOMSAT is not only cultivating innovation but contributing to Nigeria’s digital economy and sovereign technological capacity.
The programme is implemented in collaboration with a network of strategic partners, including:
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)
Private sector experts
Early-stage investors
Innovation hubs and accelerators
These partnerships are essential for scaling the initiative, ensuring its reach goes beyond prototypes and into real-world applications with commercial and societal impact.
The second phase kicks off with onboarding on June 20, 2025, followed by intensive workshops, business development support, product refinement, and mentoring.
The journey culminates in a high-profile Demo Day in October 2025, a showcase designed to attract local and international investment while giving startups a platform to validate their innovations.
With the global space economy expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2040, Nigeria’s investment in its space-tech talent is both visionary and timely. The NIGCOMSAT Accelerator stands as a national symbol of ambition, leveraging satellite capabilities to solve grounded, real-world challenges.
“It’s about transformation through technology,” Egerton-Idehen emphasized. “We’re nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs who will not only solve Nigerian problems but export solutions to the world.”
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