Strathmore University wins Africa Regional Round of Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot competition in Pretoria
Date: 2026-06-01
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Strathmore
University from Kenya has emerged as the overall winner of the 17th Africa
Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, held in
Pretoria, South Africa.
The
competition forms part of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC)
programme and provides law students with the opportunity to engage with complex
issues in international space law while interacting with the global space
community.
Teams
from across the continent participated in the event, which tested their
understanding of legal frameworks governing outer space activities and emerging
challenges in space governance.
Dragonfly
Aerospace, which supported the event in partnership with the National Space
Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), commended all participating teams for
their performance and engagement throughout the competition.
The
company also supported a student team from the University of Calabar as part of
its broader commitment to developing space science and law capacity in Africa.
As
winners of the regional round, the Strathmore University team will represent
Africa at the global finals during the International Astronautical Congress in
Türkiye, where they are expected to present their case before judges affiliated
with the International Court of Justice.
Organisers
and partners of the competition highlighted the importance of such initiatives
in building the next generation of African professionals in space law and
governance.
The
event is regarded as a key platform for fostering academic excellence and
strengthening Africa’s participation in global space policy discussions.
