Kenya Space Agency DG visits NASRDA to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Date: 2025-09-23
The Director General of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey, has paid an official visit to the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) headquarters in Abuja. He was warmly received by his Nigerian counterpart, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA.
The visit, which marked the
beginning of Brig. Kipkosgey’s five-day official mission to Nigeria, is aimed
at fostering stronger cooperation between the two leading African space
agencies. His engagements will include high-level roundtable discussions on areas
of collaboration and an extensive tour of NASRDA’s key facilities.
During the bilateral
meeting, both agencies reached agreements on several strategic initiatives
designed to boost space science and technology development across the
continent. Notably, KSA and NASRDA resolved to establish a Joint MoU Committee
to develop a collaboration framework and oversee its implementation. The
agencies also committed to align on capacity-building and exchange programmes
in areas such as mission control, Earth observation and remote sensing,
artificial intelligence, robotics, mapping, forestry, and applications of space
science for national security and sustainable development.
The two sides further agreed
to leverage NASRDA’s experience in mainstreaming space technology across
Nigeria’s economy, with Kenya exploring opportunities to adapt similar models
to its national context. Additionally, they pledged to coordinate positions
within African Union forums to amplify Africa’s collective voice and enhance
the continent’s space ecosystem.
As part of his visit, Brig.
Kipkosgey officially extended an invitation to NASRDA to participate in the
Kenya Space Expo and Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Nairobi. Also in
attendance at the Abuja meeting were Mr. Jacques Matara, Deputy Director of
Space Research and Innovation (KSA); Major Aloyce Were, Deputy Director of
Space Systems and Infrastructure Development (KSA); along with senior directors
of NASRDA.
By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
