Kenya and Nigeria Strengthen Bilateral Space Cooperation Through Strategic Visit

Kenya and Nigeria have strengthened their bilateral space cooperation through a five-day official visit by the Director General of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), Brig. Hillary Kipkosgey and a KSA delegation to Abuja, Nigeria. Commencing on Monday, 22 September 2025, the visit involved engagements with multiple stakeholders in the Nigerian space sector, aimed at advancing space collaboration between the two nations.

Strategic Meeting with NASRDA Leadership

On Monday, 22 September, the Director General of KSA, Brig. Hillary Kipkosgey was received at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) headquarters by Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA, marking the first engagement of the five-day official visit to Nigeria. Furthermore, the visit included roundtable discussions on prospective areas of collaboration and an extensive tour of NASRDA’s key facilities. During the bilateral meeting, the two agencies agreed on a series of strategic measures to deepen cooperation, including:

• Establishing a Joint MoU Committee to develop a formal collaboration framework and oversee its implementation.
• Aligning capacity-building and exchange programmes in areas such as mission control, Earth observation, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, robotics, mapping, forestry, and the application of space technology to national security and sustainable development.
• Leveraging NASRDA’s policy experience in integrating space technology across Nigeria’s economy, with a view to adapting similar approaches in Kenya.
• Coordinating positions within African Union forums to strengthen Africa’s collective voice and enhance the continental space ecosystem.

Brig. Kipkosgey also extended an invitation to NASRDA to participate in the upcoming Kenya Space Expo and Conference, scheduled for June 2026 in Nairobi. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both agencies, including Mr Jacques Matara, Deputy Director of Space Research and Innovation (KSA), and Major Aloyce Were, Deputy Director of Space Systems and Infrastructure Development (KSA). This engagement set the tone for a week of high-level consultations aimed at advancing Kenya-Nigeria cooperation in space science and technology.

KSA’s Engagement with Nigerian Start-Ups

The Kenya Space Agency also held a high-level engagement with Nigerian start-ups during its official visit, where NASRDA further reaffirmed the role of space science and technology in national development. Representing NASRDA’s Director General, Dr Felix Ale, underscored the need for stronger intra-African collaboration, mutual investment, and joint initiatives to unlock the continent’s potential in the space sector.

Brig. Hillary Kipkosgey, KSA Director General, highlighted Nigeria’s vibrant space ecosystem and the innovative presentations from the local start-ups. Additionally, Dr Idris Jega outlined models to promote innovation, inclusiveness, and commercialisation in space technology, to inspire the next generation of African space leaders. The event highlighted Africa’s growing capacity to drive socioeconomic development through a more integrated and cooperative space agenda.

KSA and NIGCOMSAT Explore Collaboration in Satellite Communication

The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd and the Kenya Space Agency initiated discussions on strategic collaboration in space technology, focusing on leveraging the services of Nigeria’s communications satellite, NigComSat-1R. During a courtesy visit to NIGCOMSAT’s Ground Control facility in Abuja, Mrs Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, welcomed Brig. Hillary Kipkosgey for a high-level engagement that explored NIGCOMSAT’s satellite capabilities and identified opportunities for impactful cooperation in advancing satellite communications across Africa.

In her address, Mrs Egerton-Idehen reaffirmed NIGCOMSAT’s readiness to partner with KSA and emphasised the company’s commitment to delivering solutions that drive socio-economic growth in Kenya and across the continent.

Defence Space Administration Hosts Kenya Space Agency Director General

On Tuesday, 23 September, the Chief of Defence Space Administration (DSA), Air Vice Marshal LI Oluwatoyin, received the Director-General of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey, during an official visit to the DSA headquarters in Abuja. The high-level engagement commenced with a comprehensive briefing on DSA’s activities, highlighting its contributions to Nigeria’s national space policy and programme, as well as ongoing innovations in the sector. During the dialogue, both delegations exchanged perspectives and identified potential areas for bilateral cooperation between the two entities.

In response, Brig Hillary Kipkosgey emphasised the shared vision between the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) and the Defence Space Administration (DSA), noting that while KSA was initially focused on civilian applications, its mandate has since expanded to include support for national defence initiatives. He added that the visit underscored a mutual commitment to strengthening ties with Nigerian space institutions and advancing long-term space cooperation.

Conclusion

This visit underscored the importance of intra-African space collaboration in strengthening the continent’s collective space programme. Both Kenya and Nigeria are the largest economies by GDP in their respective regions, and have made significant advances in their space programmes. This includes launching satellites into orbit, establishing national space agencies, and allocating annual budgets to sustain and expand their programmes.

In addition, both nations have positioned themselves to harness opportunities in the global space economy through investments in Earth observation and emerging technologies that support socio-economic development. This engagement highlights the crucial role of strategic partnerships in advancing Africa’s space ambitions through cross-border collaboration.