South Africa and Tanzania Strengthen Ties with Joint Satellite Launch Plans
South Africa and Tanzania are collaborating on satellite initiatives, with plans to jointly launch satellites in the future. Dr. Bonginkosi Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, announced the development during his recent visit to Dar es Salaam.
The Tanzanian government, through the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), has outlined a roadmap to launch three satellites by 2028. DIT, designated to lead Tanzania’s space initiatives, is setting up a dedicated center for space technology, anticipated to open later this year.
According to Dr. Richard Masika, DIT’s council chairman, the institute’s “teaching factory” model, which focuses on practical skills, is producing engineers who are industry-ready upon graduation.
The partnership aims to enhance educational and technical exchanges between Tanzanian institutions and their South African counterparts, with South Africa offering capacity-building support. This includes staff and student exchange programs aimed at advancing skills in satellite technology.
Dr. Petro Pesha, DIT’s academic director, highlighted the benefits of satellite technology for Tanzania, noting applications in communication, disaster management, agriculture, and national security. The planned launches include Tanzania’s first satellite under the KiboCube program by August 2026.
Dr. Nzimande emphasized the importance of educating African societies about the role of science and technology in daily life to gain public support for these initiatives. Through partnerships and shared expertise, South Africa and Tanzania hope to lead Africa into a new era of space innovation and exploration.
Source: The Guardian
