.
Nigeria needs a stable, long-term space policy to convert its growing investment in satellites into practical tools for national security, communications and economic development, officials of the European Space Agency (ESA) have said.
The officials warned that meaningful space capabilities cannot be built through short-term projects or inconsistent funding, stressing that the sector requires decades of sustained investment and clear policy direction to attract private capital and develop local expertise.
The comments were made by Alexander Soucek, ESA’s head of external relations, and Thomas Weissenberg, an ESA external relations officer and Africa expert, on the sidelines of the International Space Summit in Paris.
Policy Certainty Critical to Space Investment
According to Soucek, countries seeking to build national space infrastructure must first make clear strategic decisions about which capabilities they want to develop domestically and which services can be obtained from international partners.
He argued that space programmes operate on timelines measured in years and decades, making policy consistency critical for both governments and private investors.
Without confidence that a country’s space strategy will remain in place over the long term, companies are unlikely to commit significant capital to satellite technology, infrastructure and related businesses.
The ESA position comes as Nigeria increasingly explores satellite technology and Earth observation to address challenges ranging from insecurity to agriculture, communications and environmental monitoring.
Satellites Cannot Solve Insecurity Alone
While satellites can provide governments with valuable intelligence and monitoring capabilities, the ESA officials cautioned against treating space technology as a standalone solution to terrorism and other security threats.
Weissenberg noted that satellites can help monitor developments on the ground and improve access to information, but their value ultimately depends on the broader security systems available to act on that intelligence.
For Nigeria, this means satellite imagery could support surveillance and situational awareness, but effective security operations would still require personnel, communications infrastructure and other capabilities on the ground.
Soucek also argued that national security should be viewed more broadly. Reliable communications, weather information, scientific research, skilled personnel and investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can all contribute to a country’s overall resilience.
Accurate weather information, for instance, can help farmers make better decisions, while satellite communications can extend connectivity to communities and businesses beyond the reach of terrestrial infrastructure.
Africa Already Has a Space Foundation
The ESA officials said Africa is not starting from scratch.
Weissenberg estimated that roughly 70 African satellites are already in orbit, while advances in satellite technology are making spacecraft smaller and increasingly accessible to countries and private companies with more limited resources.
He also pointed to South Africa as evidence of the continent’s emerging industrial capabilities. The country has developed businesses producing satellite components, cameras and other space technologies, although much of the output is currently sold outside Africa.
According to Weissenberg, stronger space programmes and larger government budgets across African countries could create additional demand for locally produced technologies and help develop a more integrated continental space industry.
Nigeria Does Not Need to Build Everything
The ESA officials said African governments should also resist the assumption that every country must own every part of the space value chain.
Depending on national priorities, governments can develop their own satellites and launch infrastructure or purchase satellite data and other services from foreign governments and commercial providers.
Soucek said buying existing services may be sufficient for many civilian applications, although the calculation becomes different when sensitive national security requirements are involved.
For Nigeria, the immediate priority could therefore be identifying the space capabilities that are strategically important rather than attempting to replicate the programmes of major space powers.
Building a Nigerian Space Ecosystem
The ESA perspective points toward a broader ecosystem involving skilled workers, startups, downstream applications, research institutions and local industrial capacity, rather than focusing exclusively on satellite launches.
Soucek said African countries have the potential to close the technology gap if they make deliberate decisions about where to invest and maintain those commitments over time.
Nigeria already has a national space programme and has been working to strengthen the management and utilisation of its space assets. In March 2026, the Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to a revised 25-year National Space Roadmap and approved immediate funding for maintenance of national space assets.
The latest ESA assessment suggests that the next step is ensuring such commitments translate into predictable, long-term implementation.
For Nigeria, the opportunity extends beyond putting satellites into orbit. A coherent space strategy could connect Earth observation, communications, weather services, data, agriculture, security and local technology development into a broader national infrastructure framework.
The challenge, however, will be maintaining the political commitment and investment required to turn those ambitions into durable capabilities.
