That is great, Africa!

Failures in solar panels and batteries are not unusual.

Don't forget, even USA failed many times before it succeeded. And even now, we get disappointments now and then. The latest was reported a few days ago:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/science/space/11nasa.html

So, assuming that some commenters are not weighed down with white-inspired inferiority complex, I suggest that those who do not wish to do business with China because of failed systems, then should bolt even faster AWAY from USA and EU countries which also design failed systems.

In fact, Africa has been doing business with western countries for centuries and where has that got Africa, the wealthiest continent on earth?

Let us change our outlook. Let us consider Africa again - from an informed perspective. [Starting with reporters with less supremacist biases.]

China is a rogue nation so is India.Those two so called Nations support their economies by a rip off scheme purpatrated on third world nations.Nigeria and Nigerian Scientist could develop their own satellite and rocket delivery system but Nigeria is not focused in that direction.Others from the first world critisize Nigeria because of Evil jealousy.Why? Simply because it is realized that Nigerians are the worlds most intellectually gifted people.I lived and worked in Nigeria for four years in the medical field .I know that those people have crafty brains.Nigeria and Nigerians linger on for thou art so fair, Perry Fisher,MD

The setallite failed because it was sabotaged right from the design stages: using shoddy workmanship and materials. By now countries like Nigeria or South Africa should have enough resources - human and otherwise - to develop and deploy their own systems. This is cutting edge technologies you are talking about here. Does anybody think China or any country will play Santa Claus, and give up their technological advantage away just like that ? Come on get a grip.

Nigeria government i have just one word for you,stop business relation with china.They still behave like the rest of the world trying to exploit africa and make their home a better place.How long are we going to relie on others to get things done for us and our children?

It is disgusting to read how BBC gleefully reported this incident - rejoicing at the mis-fortune of your neighbor leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Can one imagine Africans rejoicing on the current global financial crisis, or, the Terrorist attack on London last year - how would the Brits feel? Besides, how many trials and errors did US, UK and other industrialized countries including China & India encountered b4 they finally succeeded on any of their technological development? To call any of our attempts at technological progress a "white elephant" is disingenuous. BBC would prefer their colonial relationship with Africa whereby we keep producing raw materials for them to add value & turn around to sell the finished product to us at exorbitant cost. Given the potential for a good monetary return and given our location in a region that is marginalized technologically, we should not give up on satellite technology with a goal to have Nigerian experts trained quickly and learn-by-doing the practical aspect of the mission control so Nigerians can eventually take over the design & manufacturing of the tools and launching them ourselves. Who knows where this know-how can take us? India, a relatively poor country like Nigeria recently launched its space exploration program, we could too. Too much reliance on countries like UK & China which may sabotage us, for instance, because of the recent suspension of Railroad contract with China, is risky. Nigeria should speed up the training of our local Engineers to take over the full mission control of the project. It is unfortunate that a 3rd world country like China used this arrangement to blackmail Nigeria. It is better we know this now than later - so we can choose our friends more carefully.