By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Kenya is hosting a four-day
Regional Space Law Technical Advisory Mission for the African Region to
strengthen the capacity of African countries to develop and implement national
space policies, legal frameworks and institutional arrangements.
The mission officially
commenced on November 10, 2026, at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre
(LBMSC) in Malindi and will run until November 13. It is organised by the
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in collaboration with
the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA).
The event brings together
international experts and representatives from African space institutions
across 16 countries to discuss approaches to strengthening space law and policy
across the continent.
The mission was officially
opened by Dr. Patrick Mariru, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence,
who highlighted the importance of robust legal frameworks in safeguarding
national space assets and promoting the peaceful and sustainable use of outer
space.
“A robust legal framework is
also a key pillar of national security. It provides safeguards for our space
assets, helps prevent harmful interference, strengthens confidence and
cooperation among States, and contributes to ensuring that outer space remains
a domain for peaceful use, in accordance with international law and principles
for long-term sustainability,” he stated.
During the opening session,
Italy's Ambassador to Kenya, Vincenzo del Monaco, and Major General Hillary
Kipkosgey, Director General of the Kenya Space Agency, emphasised the
importance of regional cooperation in shaping Africa's space governance
framework.
They noted that
collaboration among African nations would help establish a unified approach to
regulating space activities.
The four-day mission will
feature expert-led presentations, interactive discussions and practical
table-top exercises through which participants will explore approaches to
developing and strengthening national space policies, legal frameworks and
institutional arrangements tailored to their respective countries.
