Uganda Hosts First Workshop for the African Development Satellite Project

Last week, Uganda hosted the inaugural African Development Satellite Project (AfDev-Sat) workshop, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s collaborative efforts to advance space technology. The event highlighted the substantial progress made by participating nations in this pioneering initiative, the first satellite to be jointly developed by African countries. Furthermore, the workshop highlighted the strength of African innovation and the critical importance of promoting partnerships among national space agencies to drive technological self-reliance.  

A Gathering of Key Stakeholders  

The workshop was attended by high-ranking officials, including Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria, and His Excellency, the Director of International Cooperation from Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also present were Dr Doreen Agaba, Technical Lead of the Department of Aeronautics and Space Science at Uganda’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat, Dr Anita Antwiwaa, Head of Department ECE and Head of Operations, ANU-Space Systems Technology laboratory, and Dr Ayman Ahmed, Senior Director of Space Programmes at the Egyptian Space Agency. Representatives from Kenya and Nigeria further reinforced the collaborative spirit of the initiative.  

Charting a Path Forward  

The workshop provided a crucial platform for participating nations to align on the project’s future trajectory. Key discussions centred on technical development, capacity building, funding mechanisms, policy harmonisation, and expansion strategies to ensure the initiative’s sustainability and scalability.

During the discussions, participants outlined a clear roadmap for the project’s long-term objectives, including its transformation into a continent-wide programme. Building on the lessons learnt from the pilot phase, the AfDev-Sat initiative aims to expand its reach by incorporating additional African nations interested in contributing to and benefiting from the project. This expansion will facilitate a sustainable platform for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of Africa’s space ecosystem.  

The Origins of AfDev-Sat  

The African Development Satellite initiative was first announced by the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in 2019 during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The project was conceived to strengthen collaboration among African nations in developing indigenous space technology capabilities. Following this declaration, Egypt, as the host nation, alongside implementing countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda), began defining the project’s scope, objectives, and the roles of each participating entity.  

AfDev-Sat is a joint Earth Observation mission involving six African nations: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda. Each country is contributing a specific subsystem to the satellite, ensuring shared expertise and equitable participation. The project represents a decisive step toward localising satellite manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing (MAIT) capabilities across the continent.  

The satellite will have two advanced camera payloads: a 7-metre resolution panchromatic camera and a 30-metre multispectral camera. These instruments will provide high-quality Earth Observation data over a two-year operational lifespan, supporting critical applications such as climate monitoring, agricultural development, and disaster management. By leveraging this data, African nations can enhance decision-making in food security, environmental conservation, and emergency response.  

A Vision for the Future  

The AfDev-Sat initiative is more than a technological milestone; it is a testament to Africa’s commitment to self-reliance in space science and innovation. As the project progresses, it is expected to serve as a model for future pan-African collaborations, enabling a new era of scientific and technological advancement on the continent. With a structured expansion plan in place, the initiative is poised to welcome additional partners, ensuring that Africa’s space ambitions continue to grow in both scope and impact.  

This workshop marks a key moment in Africa’s space journey, demonstrating what can be achieved through unity, shared vision, and strategic cooperation. The success of AfDev-Sat will not only enhance Africa’s space capabilities but also inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and innovators across the continent.