Tanzania secures orbital slot for its first satellite launch into space

Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye announced that the East African nation would be making its first launch into space during the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC23) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“This success is one of the fruits of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference,” he is quoted by local media the Citizen.

This follows earlier communication by Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan in May, indicating the country’s advanced negotiations and preparations in achieving this scientific milestone.

“We are well prepared. We have started discussions and rest assured that Tanzania will have its own satellite in the near future,” President Suluhu Hassan said.

Member of Parliament for Musoma Rural and a prominent advocate for space technologies in Tanzania, Professor Sospeter Muhongo emphasized the importance of leveraging space technology for economic development. He underscored the advancements made by neighbouring countries such as Rwanda and Kenya in this regard.

In other parts of the African continent, Egypt leads having launched nine satellites, while South Africa follows with eight. Algeria, Nigeria and Morocco follow with seven, six and three satellites, respectively. Other countries on the list include Ghana, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Angola, Mauritius and Rwanda.