The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the development of the Space sector in the country as a key contributor to national growth.
Acting Director General Brig Hillary Kipkosgey said during the seventh edition of the Africa Earth Observation Challenge on the sidelines of a three-day Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) at Sarit Center in Nairobi, a thriving Space sector is ideal for socio-economic development.
The forum brought together various firms in the country and across the region through Kenya National Innovation Agency (Kenia) to showcase their innovative ideas under the theme ‘Connecting Innovations Glocally’.
“KSA believes that Space science, technology and applications have the potential to spur economic growth. Earth Observation provides reliable, real-time information to support environmental monitoring which is vital for informed decision-making,” said Brig Kipkosgey.
He said the agency has invested significantly in Earth Observation with a number of projects such as project Monitoring for Decisions using Space Technologies (MIDST) where they have monitored forest cover, urbanization and disaster management.
“Africultures is a platform for hosting critical data that could be used to tackle food security in consortia with stakeholders from across the continent and lastly, KSA will be deploying a Data portal that will be hosting analysis-ready data and information to be shared with key stakeholders,” Brig Kipkosgey added.
The Earth Observation Challenge aims at establishing a viable opportunity for startups and developing National Space Capabilities and promoting the growth of the Space industry.
KSA is a State Corporation domiciled in the Ministry of Defence mandated to promote, coordinate and regulate space-related activities in the country.
