MALINDI, Kenya — The Kenya Space Agency (KSA), in partnership with the Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana), successfully co-hosted the Third Italy–Africa Space Leaders Meeting at the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi.
The two-day forum brought together over 30 space leaders from 17 African countries, providing a platform to strengthen international collaboration in space science, technology, and policy.
Discussions were framed within the Mattei Plan, an initiative aimed at deepening Italy–Africa cooperation, and ahead of Italy’s upcoming presidency of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for 2026–2027.
The meeting underscored a shared understanding that space is a strategic driver of innovation and socio-economic development in Africa. Participants highlighted the role of space technologies in sectors such as agriculture, climate monitoring, communication, education, and sustainable growth.
Speaking during the event, KSA officials emphasized that fostering continental partnerships and knowledge exchange is critical to accelerating Africa’s space capabilities and leveraging space solutions for development challenges.
Italy’s delegation, led by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, reiterated its commitment to supporting African nations in satellite technology, capacity building, and research collaborations under the Mattei Plan framework.
The forum concluded with calls to enhance multilateral cooperation, promote local space innovation hubs, and align space policies with sustainable development goals, positioning Africa as a growing contributor to global space initiatives.
Delegates discussed strategies to strengthen regional partnerships, enhance human capacity through training and research, and leverage space-based solutions for pressing socio-economic issues such as food security, disaster management, and climate resilience.
