Nigeria’s push to close the digital divide took a major leap forward this week as the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) signed a landmark agreement with Chinese satellite company Galaxy Space. The deal, announced Wednesday in Abuja, will see the deployment of Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite connectivity across the country before the end of 2025.
D2D technology allows ordinary smartphones and laptops to connect directly to satellites, bypassing the need for cell towers or traditional network infrastructure. NASRDA’s Director-General, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, described the agreement as a “major milestone,” promising seamless communication even in Nigeria’s most remote and underserved regions.
“This means your phone, laptop, or workstation can connect directly to satellites, enabling communication even in areas without network coverage,” Adepoju said.
The partnership is also expected to bring technology transfer and training opportunities for Nigerian engineers, with plans to jointly build a miniaturized satellite, or CubeSat, in Nigeria.
While the technology promises to eliminate network blind spots and boost digital inclusion, it also raises important privacy and security questions. With data potentially routed through foreign-owned satellites, experts say there is a need for strong regulatory oversight and robust encryption to protect user information.
Galaxy Space’s representative, Mr. Sam Xiao, praised NASRDA’s leadership and suggested Nigeria could become a launchpad for D2D technology across Africa.
