In a landmark move for the African space industry, Kenya and Italy have officially reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre into a world-class hub for research, innovation, and education. The agreement was solidified during the 3rd Joint Steering Committee meeting held at the Italian Space Agency (ASI) headquarters in Rome.
Led by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Defence, Patrick Mariru, and ASI representative Jahjah Munzer, the delegations outlined a strategic roadmap that shifts the Malindi facility from a satellite tracking station to a comprehensive center for advanced space science.
The discussions focused on several high-impact projects designed to boost Kenya’s technological sovereignty and regional influence, including the establishment of an International Centre for Space Education to train the next generation of African aerospace engineers.
Plans are also underway to launch a CubeSat Development facility for manufacturing nanosatellites and a Space Museum to preserve the continent’s astronomical history.
Furthermore, the operationalization of a Centre for Earth Observation in Malindi, supported by a data node in Nairobi, will significantly enhance Kenya’s ability to monitor climate change, agriculture, and natural resources from orbit.
Beyond government cooperation, the partnership is bridging the gap between research and industry by engaging with Italian space firms STAM and Planetek under a European Space Agency (ESA) initiative.
