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NIGCOMSAT and Thales Alenia Space partner to enhance navigation and maritime safety

Under the agreement, NIGCOMSAT will acquire critical SBAS equipment worth about €400,000 free from Thales, including the utilisation of NIGCOMSAT services and knowledge transfer.
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Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited will collaborate with Thales Alenia Space to test the NigComSat-1R payload and demonstration its capability for Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS).

Adamu Idris, Head, Public Affairs of NIGCOMSAT, in a statement last week, said successful testing of NigComSat-1R payload at the Thales Alenia facility was aimed at boosting business opportunities with the view of addressing navigation and maritime safety in Africa in collaboration with other institutional stakeholders in the continent.

Under the agreement, NIGCOMSAT will acquire critical SBAS equipment worth about €400,000 free from Thales, including the utilisation of NIGCOMSAT services and knowledge transfer.

Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Executive Director, Engineering Services, who led the NIGCOMSAT team, said the agreement will help establish the capacity of NIGCOMSAT Navigation Payload and help utilize NigComSat-1R to improve navigation and maritime safety across Africa and beyond.

Bennoit Brody, Vice President, Satellite Navigation Business Unit of Thales Alenia Space, added that the agreement would demonstrate the capacity of the NigComSat-1R navigation payload while also showcasing Thales Alenia Space as a leading satellite equipment provider.

The two companies believe that their partnership will help create potential business opportunities in navigation safety in Africa.