DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania has outlined four strategic priority areas as Southern African countries move from a satellite-sharing framework to full operational implementation under a regional space cooperation programme.
Opening the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Shared Satellite Forum 2026 in Dar es Salaam, Communications, Information and Technology Minister Angellah Kairuki described the transition as a decisive step toward practical systems capable of reshaping the region’s technological future.
The four focus areas identified are agriculture and food security, mining and natural resource management, climate and disaster response, and peace and security.
“We must expand our focus to sectors that directly shape our economies,” Kairuki said.
She highlighted the role of satellite-based crop monitoring in strengthening food security, geospatial mapping in improving environmental oversight of mining, earth observation systems in tracking water resources and extreme weather, and satellite tools in supporting urban monitoring and security coordination.
The forum, held under the theme “Origins Orbital Frontiers,” comes at what regional officials describe as a pivotal moment for SADC. The initiative aligns with the bloc’s long-term Vision 2050 strategy, which seeks to transform Southern Africa from a passive consumer of space services into an active participant in the global space economy.
“This is not just about technology,” Kairuki said. “It is about sovereignty, resilience and inclusive development.”
Tanzania reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional digital integration.
The country’s National ICT Backbone, together with five submarine cable landings, has enhanced connectivity with neighbouring SADC member states including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
According to the minister, Tanzania has also deployed two additional satellite-based safety systems to boost network resilience, pushing national coverage to 98.6 per cent for 2G, 93.4 per cent for 3G, 94.2 per cent for 4G and 30.1 per cent for 5G as of December 2025.
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However, she noted that terrestrial infrastructure alone cannot reach remote settlements or provide comprehensive environmental monitoring, underscoring the strategic importance of space-based capabilities.
Dr George Ah-Thew, Acting Director and Senior Programme Officer for ICT at the Southern African Development Community, said the satellite project is one of 11 flagship initiatives under the SADC Regional Strategic Plan.
He underlined the social impact of the programme, saying high-speed satellite internet could connect schools, health facilities and community centres across the region. But he warned that timing is critical.
After six years of building a pool of technical experts, member states now have an eight-year window — with support from Angola’s Satellite Project Management Office — to bring the satellite fully into operation.
“Otherwise, we risk losing this opportunity,” he said.
Beyond communications, satellite applications are expected to support agricultural planning, disaster early-warning systems, sustainable resource extraction and humanitarian coordination.
Tanzania is also advancing its own space ambitions through the CubeSat KiboCube initiative in partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, aimed at building domestic expertise ahead of future regional missions.
