The four-day UN-backed meeting will help African countries develop national laws and regulatory systems to govern space activities as the continent expands its participation in the global space economy.
MALINDI, Kenya – Kenya is hosting representatives from 16 African countries for a regional space law mission aimed at strengthening the continent’s ability to regulate satellite operations, protect space assets and participate in international space governance.
The Regional Space Law Technical Advisory Mission for Africa officially opened on Tuesday, November 10, at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre (LBMSC), bringing together government officials, space experts and representatives of African space institutions.
The four-day programme, running until November 13, is organised by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA).
Principal Secretary for Defence Dr Patrick Mariru officially opened the meeting, emphasising the importance of establishing strong legal frameworks to protect national space infrastructure and promote responsible activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
“A robust legal framework is also a key pillar of national security. It provides safeguards for our space assets, helps prevent harmful interference, strengthens confidence and cooperation among States, and contributes to ensuring that outer space remains a domain for peaceful use, in accordance with international law and principles for long-term sustainability,” Mariru said.
Why African Countries Need Space Laws
The mission comes as more countries and private companies expand their involvement in satellite technology, space research and other commercial activities linked to outer space.
For African governments, developing national space laws and policies is increasingly important in determining how satellite operators are licensed, how space activities are supervised and how international obligations are implemented domestically.
The frameworks are also intended to provide clearer rules for investment, strengthen institutional oversight and help countries manage emerging challenges associated with the growing number of actors operating in space.
Ambassador Vincenzo del Monaco of Italy to Kenya and Kenya Space Agency Director General Major General Hillary Kipkosgey highlighted the importance of cooperation among African countries in developing a coordinated approach to space governance.
Their message was that individual national policies should be strengthened through regional collaboration, allowing African states to share expertise and develop common positions on international space-related issues.
What the Four-Day Mission Will Cover
Participants will engage in expert-led presentations, interactive discussions and practical tabletop exercises designed to help them translate international space law obligations into national policies and regulations.
The programme will examine how countries can develop or strengthen their legal frameworks, establish appropriate regulatory institutions and improve coordination among agencies responsible for space-related activities.
The exercises will also give participants an opportunity to consider practical policy and regulatory challenges facing their respective countries.
The initiative is expected to support African governments at different stages of developing their space sectors, including countries seeking to establish national legislation and those looking to update existing policies.
Kenya’s Growing Role in African Space Cooperation
The choice of Malindi as the venue highlights Kenya’s longstanding partnership with Italy in space science and technology.
The Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre is an important satellite communications and tracking facility operated through cooperation between the Italian Space Agency and Kenya.
Its operations include receiving satellite data and telemetry, as well as tracking space objects and supporting international space activities.
The Kenya Space Agency has also been working with international partners to strengthen the country’s technical capacity and expand the use of space-derived information in areas such as agriculture, environmental monitoring and disaster management.
The November mission was announced in June 2026, when UNOOSA and the Italian Space Agency outlined their partnership to help African countries develop national space legislation and regulatory systems.
The programme forms part of UNOOSA’s Global Space Law Project, which supports countries seeking to strengthen their capacity to participate in the governance and peaceful use of outer space.
By bringing experts and officials from 16 African nations together, the Malindi meeting seeks to build the legal and institutional foundations needed for the continent to play a stronger role in the evolving global space sector.
