The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Communications Satellite (Limited) NigComSat Accelerator Programme, geared towards boosting Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and addressing security challenges through innovative solutions.
The programme, which aims to harness space technology to tackle critical national issues, attracted participants from all six geopolitical zones of the country.
Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat, highlighted the initiative’s goal of elevating the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital economy sector’s contributions to the country’s GDP from 17.8 per cent to 22 per cent. She emphasized NigComSat’s commitment to creating a technology platform that promotes financial inclusion, addresses security challenges, and supports logistics businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and fintech companies.
Inaugurating the Programme at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, called for collaborative efforts from stakeholders in the technology sector to realize President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda. Dr. Tijani underscored the Ministry’s focus on driving digital innovation through five pillars to create job opportunities for youths and entrepreneurs.
Explaining the rationale behind the Programme, Dr. Tijani emphasized NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to empowering youth, start-ups, space enthusiasts, and early-stage companies with space-tech solutions to national challenges. Out of 468 start-ups that applied, only about 20 were selected for the launch phase.
The theme of the Programme, “Fostering Innovation in Satellite Technology,” reflects its transformative journey, spanning key stages that include mentorship, networking, and exposure to propel Nigerian start-ups into the global spotlight.
Dr. Tijani elaborated on the 24-week initiative, which includes phases such as the Sandbox Environment, Mentorship and Check-in Sessions, Strategic Growth Support, Visibility, Market Access, and Wrap-up. She emphasized the programme’s win-win nature, positioning NIGCOMSAT Ltd as a key player in fostering innovation in the satellite industry and providing opportunities for collaboration with emerging start-ups.
The launch of the NigComSat Accelerator Programme signifies a significant step towards leveraging technology to drive innovation and economic growth in Nigeria.
