Week Recap

This week at NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE LIMITED (NIGCOMSAT) , we have been part of some exciting developments that show how technology can change lives and improve economies. Our engagement in the BusinessDay Nigeria Blockchain Conference demonstrated how blockchain technology can drive financial inclusion and governance across Africa. Meanwhile, the introduction of Nigeria’s draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy highlights our leadership in AI, promising to influence key sectors like agriculture and healthcare. Additionally, our presence at the ITU Space Sustainability Forum emphasized the strategic advantages of Africa's equatorial position for space exploration. Each of these milestones reflects our commitment to leveraging technology to address both local and global challenges, setting the stage for transformative advancements.

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Speaking Engagement at the ITU Space Sustainability Forum

At the ITU Space Sustainability Forum in Geneva, I had the opportunity to speak alongside key figures from the United Nations, ITU, and other global institutions. The panel focused on how space-based services can significantly contribute to economic growth in developing countries, particularly those on the equator. I highlighted Africa’s potential to move upstream in the space sector by leveraging our strategic location, where launching rockets requires less fuel, enabling us to carry larger payloads at lower costs. With over 180 launches in 2023 alone and predictions of up to 70,000 launches by 2030, Africa is uniquely positioned to attract foreign investment, create jobs, and foster industries like aviation. These discussions underscored the critical role Africa could play in the evolving global space industry, and how this could spark economic transformation across the continent.

• Equatorial Advantage: Launching rockets from equatorial regions requires less fuel, making Africa ideal for spaceports.
• Job Creation and Investment: A spaceport would attract foreign investment and create jobs in both space-related and adjacent industries like aviation.
• Global Demand: With up to 70,000 launches predicted by 2030, the demand for cost-effective launch sites in equatorial regions is significant.

NIGCOMSAT At The BusinessDay Blockchain Conference

Engr. Abiodun Attah , the Executive Director of Technical Services, participated in the BusinessDay Blockchain Conference, co-hosted by BusinessDay Nigeria and the SIBAN The conference, themed "Building Africa’s Future: Harnessing Blockchain Technology for Economic and Social Transformation," provided a platform for Engr. Abiodun to share insights on "Blockchain for Financial Inclusion, Economic Growth, and Governance." His participation emphasized NIGCOMSAT’s dedication to leveraging emerging technologies to promote economic and social development across Africa.

Meeting With The Philip Consulting, LLC

NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE LIMITED (NIGCOMSAT) had the pleasure of hosting Philip Consulting, LLC , led by Mr. Folusho Philips. The team presented a series of training programs designed to enhance our workforce's skills and knowledge. These initiatives are aligned with our strategic goals to boost capacity building and drive innovation within the satellite and communications sector. The potential for collaboration is promising, and we look forward to exploring these opportunities further.

A Proud Moment For The African Tech Space

Nigeria took a significant step forward this week with the introduction of its draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS). The Stakeholders Engagement event, chaired by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani , Honorable Minister for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, marked a bold move as most nations are still in the early stages of AI discussions. This proactive approach demonstrates Nigeria’s leadership in harnessing AI for national development. The draft strategy is now available for public review, and NIGCOMSAT was well represented by Aishatu Ibrahim Bantam , Ikechukwu Amalu , Maureen Nzekwe, and Adama Kure.

This is a proud moment not just for Nigeria but for the African tech space, showing the potential of AI to drive productivity and economic growth across critical sectors. Kudos to Dr. Bunmi Ajala and the National center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, NCAIR Nigeria team, along with partners like Microsoft and The World Bank, for making this milestone possible. The draft is open for public feedback, and I encourage everyone to review and contribute to shaping the future of AI in Nigeria.

Check out the draft strategy here: National AI Strategy.

The Global Inclusivity and AI Africa

The Global Inclusivity and AI Africa (GIAA) Conference, held on the 10th and 11th of September in Lagos, convened over 300 participants from across sectors. These included U.S. and Nigerian government officials, private industry leaders, civil society members, and academics, all focused on exploring the opportunities and challenges in the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa.

NIGCOMSAT’s Executive Director of Technical Services, Engr. Abiodun Attah , attended the conference alongside Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu , Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, contributing to discussions on AI’s future in Nigeria and the continent at large.

Did you know? Countries close to the equator, like Nigeria, are uniquely positioned to reduce launch costs for satellites and AI-driven space initiatives due to the reduced fuel requirements for geostationary launches. This advantage makes Africa an ideal hub for future space and AI collaborations, potentially attracting significant foreign investment and technological development.

As we move forward with these transformative initiatives, it’s clear that collaboration and innovation are key to unlocking Africa’s potential. We are committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, driving progress not just for our organization but for the continent. For more updates and to engage with our ongoing projects, follow us and be part of the conversation on how we can collectively drive progress and development.