The Federal Government has inaugurated the Nigeria Communications Satellite (Limited) NigComSat Accelerator Programme to boost Nigeria Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and address security challenges.
The programme, which was aimed at getting start-ups to adopt space technology to solve critical national challenges, attracted participants from the six geopolitical zones of the country.
According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the programme was among others packaged to move 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.
Mrs Egerton-Idehen said NigComSat is creating a technology platform that would promote financial inclusion, address security challenges with deployment of top notch technologies, support logistics businesses as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and fintech companies.
The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, who inaugurated the Programme at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja called for concerted efforts from stakeholders in the technology sector for the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu to become a reality.
Tijani, who was represented by the Director of Frequency in the Ministry, Joseph Aguren, said the Ministry anchored its philosophy in driving the digital innovation sector through five pillars to create job opportunities for youths and other entrepreneurs.
Explaining the rationale behind the Programme, Tijani said NIGCOMSAT is on the march to re-engineer the youth, pioneering start-ups, space enthusiasts, and early-stage companies with space-tech solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
According to her about 468 start-ups applied for participation in the programme, but that only about 20 were selected for the launch phase.
She said the Programme which had the theme: ”Fostering Innovation in Satellite Technology “, was a transformative journey spanning key stages that combined mentorship, networking and exposure to catapult Nigerian start ups into space-tech realm.
Tijani said: ”NIGCOMSAT Limited in recognition of the transformative potential of the nation’s space and satellite-related enthusiasts has established the programme in a comprehensive 24-week initiative aimed at fostering innovation, providing mentorship, and propelling startups into the global spotlight.
“We started the first phase of this programme with the publicity of the program and invited start-ups who submitted applications in the first week of January to the first week of February 2024.
“This took us to the evaluation and selection, the shortlisting, the interviews, and the final selection which took four weeks to complete. We are now at the launch phase which is taking place today. After this, we shall move into the DEEP-DIVE which will last for twenty- four weeks.
“The twenty-four weeks include the Sandbox Environment, Mentorship and Check-in Sessions, Strategic Growth Support, Visibility, and Market Access, and lastly the Wrap-up.
“This programme is geared towards a win-win situation for all stakeholders. It will position NIGCOMSAT Ltd as a key player in fostering innovation in the satellite industry. It will equally open and identify potential collaborators with emerging start-ups as well as gain positive exposure through successful start-ups.
