• The Kenya Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency have entered into a new bilateral agreement aimed at setting up an Earth Observation Center in Nairobi.
• The establishment aims to facilitate climate surveillance, agricultural improvements, disaster response, and evidence-based policy formulation in East and Central Africa.
• The Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi will continue to be vital for space missions and future satellite developments.

The Sport.bangjo.co.id.co.ke correspondent Ivan Mboto boasts more than three years of expertise in covering politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.

Kenya and Italy have formed a significant collaboration to set up a regional hub for Earth observation along with an Earth observation data center in Nairobi.

The initiative led by the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), working alongside the Italian Space Agency, is based on a fresh bilateral agreement implemented between these countries.

Upon becoming functional, the facility will provide advanced facilities for collecting, handling, distributing, and storing earth observation information.

This advancement is anticipated to significantly improve decision-making related to climate resilience, agricultural productivity, environmental preservation, and disaster readiness throughout Eastern and Central East Africa.

This collaboration also seeks to bolster Kenya’s research landscape through fostering policy innovations, facilitating technology transfers, and enhancing human capabilities. The initiative will boost Kenya’s profile as a leading center for space-driven solutions and environmental data analysis in the region.

Kenya's space center in Malindi

On his recent visit to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Kipchumba Tanui commended the enduring collaboration between Kenya and Italy in the field of space science.

Established in the 1960s through an innovative collaboration between NASA and Sapienza University of Rome, the facility in Malindi—initially called the San Marco Equatorial Range—emerged as the world’s third equatorial launching station.

Between 1967 and 1988, it assisted with multiple prominent satellite launches for Italy, the United States, and the UK.

Currently, this center offers highly accurate satellite tracking, telemetry, and command (TTC) capabilities for operations conducted by organizations such as NASA, ESA, and various international bodies. Additionally, it serves an essential function as the last stop for verifying the successful deployment of satellites following their launch.

In what ways does space science play a crucial role in Kenya’s innovation strategy?

Kenya is currently aiming to rejuvenate the microsatellite launching potential of the Malindi center as part of an initiative to reshape the nation into a hub for scientific exploration, employment generation, and sophisticated manufacturing.

The new Earth Observation Centre in Nairobi will support national objectives outlined in the digital economy blueprint as well as Kenya’s broader innovation strategy.

At Konza Technopolis, efforts are being made to accommodate the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-KAIST), with the intention of having the Kenya Space Agency establish its base there.

Collaborations with regional educational bodies such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), University of Nairobi, Moi University, and Machakos University are currently fostering a fresh cohort of engineers, scientists, and data analysts.

Thanks to its advantageous location near the equator and increasing technological capabilities, Kenya is emerging as a frontrunner in Africa for space technology and sustainable development.

"Our geographical position isn’t merely an asset; it’s a springboard for crafting a future characterized by innovation, sustainability, and worldwide cooperation," stated Tanui.