NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has urged African countries to invest more heavily in space technology and national data systems to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience, warning that the continent must build stronger satellite capabilities to better manage floods, droughts, and other environmental crises.
The call was made during a media breakfast briefing hosted by the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The meeting also highlighted preparations for the Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo and Conference 2026, scheduled to take place in Nairobi from June 2 to June 5.
Organisers expect about 1,500 participants from nearly 90 countries to attend the joint event, which will focus on issues such as data governance, artificial intelligence, and space technology.
Building Stronger Data Systems
Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology to William Ruto, said reliable national data systems are critical for development in the digital age.
“We need to do the basics in this era of AI, which means building our data, connectivity to data sets, to talent, to capabilities, to systems, and to policies,” Thigo told journalists.
Officials say such investments could help African governments make more informed decisions on agriculture, climate management, infrastructure planning, and public safety.
Satellite Technology for Disaster Prediction
Hillary Kipkosgey, acting Director-General of the Kenya Space Agency, said satellite technology can play a major role in predicting disasters and monitoring environmental changes.
“The next time Kenya launches a satellite, let people know that the launch could be the solution to some of the challenges we are facing,” Kipkosgey said.
Satellite-based data can help governments track weather patterns, monitor floods, assess drought conditions, and guide disaster response, tools that experts say are increasingly vital as climate change intensifies extreme weather events across Africa.
Global Collaboration
Jenna Slotin, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, emphasised the importance of international cooperation in building responsible data ecosystems.
She said the Nairobi gathering will bring together governments, researchers, and technology innovators to explore practical solutions on how data and space technologies can support communities and improve public services.
Officials say the event will also explore how digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and satellite data are shaping economic planning, governance, and crisis response worldwide.
Kenya’s Growing Space Sector
Kenya has gradually expanded its space sector through initiatives led by the Kenya Space Agency, positioning itself as a regional leader in space and geospatial technology.
A major milestone came in 2023, when the country launched Taifa-1, its first operational Earth-observation satellite.
The satellite provides high-resolution imagery for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management, helping government agencies and researchers analyse land use, track climate impacts, and improve planning.
As Africa confronts rising climate risks and growing data demands, Kenyan officials say strengthening the continent’s space capabilities could play a key role in improving resilience, guiding development policy, and safeguarding communities from future disasters.
