SOUTH AFRICA JOINS FORCES WITH UAE TO LAUNCH NEXT-GEN SATELLITE IN LANDMARK SPACE COLLABORATION

This partnership builds on South Africa’s solid foundation in satellite development.

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Satellite
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In a significant step toward boosting Africa’s presence in the global space arena, South Africa has entered into a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to co-develop and launch a new satellite, marking a transformative chapter in the continent’s space ambitions. 

The announcement was made during the SAMENA Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Dubai, where South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Mondli Gungubele, confirmed the bilateral collaboration.

The initiative represents more than just a technological alliance; it symbolizes a growing geopolitical and economic alignment aimed at elevating space innovation from the Global South. Gungubele was joined at the summit by South Africa’s Vice President, underscoring the high-level political backing behind the project and its importance to national development.

A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the two nations, establishing a clear framework for technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and institutional coordination. With the UAE recognized globally for its rapidly advancing space program, including the Emirates Mars Mission and the KhalifaSat initiative, South Africa stands to benefit from the UAE’s advanced infrastructure and satellite development expertise.

“With each visit, it becomes clearer that the UAE matches, and in many respects surpasses, first-world standards across key sectors such as transportation, communications, hospitality, and urban development,” Gungubele stated. “It is a powerful reminder that progress is not determined by background or geography, but by resolve, vision, and sustained effort.”

This partnership builds on South Africa’s solid foundation in satellite development. The country has already launched 12 satellites into orbit and continues to ramp up efforts to meet its growing digital and connectivity needs. The recent revisions to the National Communication Satellite Strategy (SatCom) by the Departments of Communications, Digital Technologies, Science, Technology, and Innovation signal a clear trajectory toward space autonomy.

South Africa’s private space sector is also gaining momentum. Local companies such as AAC Space Africa, NewSpace Systems, Simera Sense, CubeSpace, and Dragonfly Aerospace are increasingly recognized for their capabilities in designing, assembling, and testing high-reliability satellite components. Notably, AAC Space Africa recently secured a satellite assembly order valued at over $213,000 (ZAR 4.1 million), reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a hub for satellite innovation.

As global demand for satellite technology accelerates, particularly in communications, environmental monitoring, and defense, the South Africa-UAE partnership positions both nations to play a more prominent role in shaping the future of space exploration and technology.

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