In a major step toward bridging Nigeria’s rural connectivity gap, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TSAT Telecommunication Company Limited, a leading satellite communications provider, to deploy advanced satellite infrastructure that will power off-grid communities with both electricity and broadband access.
The MoU, signed in Abuja, marks a strategic partnership between the Federal Government’s electrification agency and TSAT aimed at integrating satellite technology into rural electrification projects — ensuring that even the most remote Nigerian communities gain access to both sustainable power and digital connectivity.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, signed on behalf of the agency, while the Chairman/CEO of TSAT, Abba Sani Abdullahi, represented the telecommunications company.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Aliyu said the collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to leverage innovation and technology for inclusive development, in line with the objectives of the Electricity Act 2023.
“Access to power and communication are the twin pillars of modern development. Through this partnership with TSAT, we’re not just lighting up communities — we’re connecting them to the rest of the world,” he said.
He noted that the REA remains committed to implementing projects that foster productive use of energy and stimulate economic growth in underserved areas, adding that satellite-backed connectivity will enable better monitoring of off-grid projects, enhance efficiency, and create new opportunities in education, healthcare, and small business operations.
In his remarks, TSAT Chairman/CEO, Abba Sani Abdullahi, described the agreement as a milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward universal access to clean energy and digital inclusion.
“Our mission at TSAT is to connect the unconnected. With our cutting-edge satellite network, we can provide reliable voice, data, and broadband services to even the most remote corners of Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.
“This partnership with REA will ensure that electricity and communication reach rural communities simultaneously — transforming lives and creating limitless possibilities.”
Also present at the event were the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who commended both parties for initiating the collaboration, and senior officials from both organizations, including Mr. Sami Hangan, Senior Manager (Africa), Space42, Suleiman Bichi, Executive Director of TSAT, and Lukman Kura, Chief Commercial Officer and Acting Managing Director of TSAT.
Adelabu said the partnership aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing technology-driven energy solutions that expand access and promote national productivity. “Nigeria’s development story will be incomplete without digital and energy inclusion. The REA–TSAT collaboration shows that the private sector and government can work together to unlock prosperity for millions,” he said.
According to TSAT, its advanced mobile satellite network provides crystal-clear voice, messaging, and broadband services across two-thirds of the globe, using a combination of MSS, VSAT, and GSM roaming capabilities. The company said it will deploy these technologies to complement REA’s mini-grid and solar home system projects across Nigeria’s rural landscape.
With this partnership, communities that were once isolated by geography will soon gain access to clean power, internet connectivity, and modern communication tools, creating an enabling environment for commerce, education, and emergency response services.
Industry experts say the agreement could serve as a blueprint for integrating energy and digital infrastructure in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa — a move that could transform rural economies and close the urban–rural development gap.
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