South Africa and UAE to Collaborate on Joint Satellite Project
South Africa has announced a new partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish a dedicated South African satellite, further enhancing the country’s space technology capabilities. Speaking on the sidelines of the SAMENA Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Dubai, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Mondli Gungubele, confirmed the partnership, which builds on the UAE’s strong expertise in satellite development. He further noted that the Vice President of South Africa had joined him at the summit to help accelerate the initiative, signalling strong political support behind the project.
Additionally, a memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the two nations, laying the groundwork for the technical and institutional frameworks required to advance the programme to implementation. Gungubele expressed optimism about the direction of the partnership, highlighting the project’s progress. The summit, inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, took place under the patronage of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and brought together senior officials and industry leaders from across the region.
Gungubele praised the UAE’s development trajectory, describing it as a model of global excellence: “With each visit, it becomes clearer that the UAE matches, and in many respects surpasses, first-world standards across key sectors such as transportation, communications, hospitality and urban development. It is a powerful reminder that progress is not determined by background or geography, but by resolve, vision, and sustained effort.”
Advancing South Africa’s Space Capabilities
This project builds upon South Africa’s strong presence in the satellite development industry. The country has launched 12 satellites into orbit and has embarked on several future satellite development projects. Recently, the Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) gave updates to South Africa’s National Communication Satellite Strategy (SatCom), aiming to enhance the country’s satellite connectivity needs.
Furthermore, several South African companies are significantly contributing to the satellite development landscape in Africa and globally. Recently, AAC Space Africa won its first satellite order to assemble, integrate, and test two satellites, an order, valued at approximately USD 213,078 (ZAR 4.1 million). Companies such as NewSpace Systems, Simera Sense, Dragonfly Aerospace and CubeSpace design, manufacture and test high-reliability satellite components to meet the demand for satellite systems in Africa and around the world. This unique and vibrant space ecosystem in South Africa’s satellite industry, coupled with the government’s investments in space technology, positions it as a contributor to the global space economy.
This article was originally published on the Emirates News Agency Website website on May 26, 2025. Read the original article here.