Namibia Approves Drafting of National Space Science and Technology Bill

Namibia’s Cabinet has approved the drafting of a Space Science and Technology Bill, paving the way for a legal framework to guide the country’s activities in the space sector. Announced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, the bill is intended to align national efforts in space science and technology with broader socio-economic development objectives. She added that the legislation will support the country’s long-term development goals by providing a clear basis for organising and regulating space-related activities. Moreover, the bill will be prepared by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture before being submitted to Cabinet for formal endorsement.

The move builds on earlier policy groundwork to advance Namibia’s space sector, including the launch of the Namibia Space Science and Technology Policy in June 2021. The policy outlines national objectives for applying space technologies in areas such as education, research, and environmental monitoring. Key components include strengthening human and institutional capacity in the space sector, as well as promoting collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

Additionally, in March 2024, the second National Space Science Council was appointed to serve as a technical and advisory body to the National Commission for Research, Science, and Technology. The council is comprised of experts in astronomy, information and communication technology, law, electronics engineering, and geographic information systems. It will serve until March 2027.

Objectives of the Proposed Bill

The proposed legislation, building on the previously approved policy, is intended to position Namibia as an active participant in the global space industry. It is expected to:

1. Support the integration of space technologies into national development planning.
2. Strengthen institutional capacity.
3. Raise public awareness of the benefits of space technologies.
4. Expand access to commercial space applications.

The Ministry of Education will lead the implementation of the policy, with the National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology serving as the coordinating body. This step reflects the broader ambitions within African space programmes, as countries seek to actively participate and position themselves as key players in the global space industry. This comes after Côte d’Ivoire approved a decree establishing the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire (ASCI) in June 2025, adding to the growing space sector programmes in Africa, an industry projected to grow to USD 22.64 billion by 2026.