Nigeria is taking another step toward strengthening its domestic communications infrastructure after the Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition and deployment of two new high-throughput communication satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B.

The approval, announced on August 22, 2026, is expected to expand Nigeria’s satellite capacity and reduce some of the country’s dependence on foreign-owned communications infrastructure.

Building Nigeria’s satellite capacity

Nigeria’s existing NIGCOMSAT-1R, launched in 2011, has provided communications services for more than a decade. With its original design life approaching its expected limit, the new satellites are intended to provide additional and replacement capacity as demand for broadband, broadcasting, government communications and other digital services increases.

The move comes as satellite connectivity becomes increasingly important in Nigeria.

Starlink, for example, has expanded rapidly since entering the Nigerian market, providing internet access in areas where fibre and conventional terrestrial networks may be limited.

That growth demonstrates the demand for alternative connectivity, but it also highlights Nigeria’s reliance on infrastructure operated by foreign companies.

NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B could help address part of that challenge by providing more locally controlled communications capacity.

Ownership is only the beginning

The success of the project will ultimately depend on what happens after the satellites are deployed.

Owning satellites can provide Nigeria with greater control over strategic communications infrastructure, but the system still needs to be commercially sustainable.

The satellites will need to attract telecom operators, businesses, government agencies and underserved communities while offering reliable and competitive services.

Nigeria has also said it has invested more than ₦3.8 trillion in information technology infrastructure since 2023, as the country continues to expand its digital economy.

If the new satellites are successfully integrated into the wider broadband ecosystem, they could strengthen Nigeria's domestic communications industry and reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure.

Malawi Looks to Lower Smartphone and Internet Taxes

While Nigeria is focusing on infrastructure ownership, Malawi is looking at another side of the digital divide: affordability.

Malawi's Information and Communications Technology Minister, Shadric Namalomba, has called for the removal of the country's 10% surtax on internet services and a review of the 17.5% VAT applied to smartphones.

The proposal was made at the GSMA Digital Africa Summit in Lilongwe on August 21.

Coverage doesn't guarantee connectivity

Malawi has expanded its telecommunications infrastructure, but internet adoption remains relatively low.

Only around 12.5% of the population currently uses mobile internet, while the government wants to increase that figure to at least 30% by 2030.

The argument behind the proposed tax changes is that expanding networks will have limited impact if people cannot afford smartphones or the data required to use them.

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority is also exploring ways to use the Universal Service Fund to support access to smartphones and other digital devices.

Proposed initiatives include programmes aimed at connecting schools and increasing access to tablets for students.

Affordability becomes the next battleground

The government is also considering increased competition among mobile operators and other measures aimed at reducing the cost of connectivity.

The broader issue is becoming increasingly important across Africa.

A strong mobile network does not automatically translate into digital inclusion. Consumers also need affordable devices, reasonably priced data and the skills required to make meaningful use of online services.

For Malawi, reducing taxes could therefore be viewed not simply as a loss of government revenue, but as an attempt to bring more people into the formal digital economy.

Kenya Introduces New Data Centre Licensing Framework

Kenya is tightening regulation around one of the most important pieces of modern digital infrastructure: data centres.

Under the country's revised telecommunications market structure, data centre operators now fall under Network Facilities Provider Tier 1 and Tier 2 licences.

The new framework recognises data centres as critical infrastructure rather than simply treating them as conventional technology facilities.

A growing strategic industry

Kenya has become an increasingly attractive destination for data-centre investment because of its submarine cable connections, growing digital economy and position as an East African technology hub.

The country currently has around 19 data centres, with most located in Nairobi and others in Mombasa.

Market capacity was estimated at about 15 MW in 2025 and is projected to reach 25 MW by 2030.

The need for stronger regulation became particularly visible after a power-related incident at a Huduma Kenya data centre disrupted government services in June 2026.

The incident demonstrated how dependent critical public services have become on digital infrastructure.

What operators will pay

Under the new framework, the NFP-T2 licence is aimed primarily at dedicated data-centre operators.

It carries an initial licence fee of KSh15 million, while the annual operating fee is 0.4% of gross turnover or KSh800,000, whichever is higher.

Larger integrated infrastructure operators can fall under the NFP-T1 category. That licence costs KSh15 million for 15 years or KSh45 million for 25 years, alongside a minimum annual operating fee of KSh4 million.

The next challenge is power

The new licensing structure could give investors greater regulatory clarity as demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data storage increases.

However, electricity remains one of Kenya's biggest infrastructure challenges.

As AI and cloud services require increasingly large amounts of computing power, Kenya will need reliable and affordable electricity alongside regulatory certainty if it wants to establish itself as a major African data and cloud hub.

The Bigger African Technology Story

The three developments point to a broader shift taking place across Africa.

Nigeria is focused on owning more of its communications infrastructure. Malawi is concentrating on making digital access more affordable. Kenya is building the regulatory framework needed to support growing data infrastructure.

The challenges are different, but the objective is similar: building digital economies that can operate at greater scale and serve more people.

For Africa, the next phase of digital growth may therefore depend less on simply getting people online and more on who owns the infrastructure, who can afford to use it and whether the systems supporting it can handle the continent's rapidly growing demand for data and computing power.