In a bold step toward strengthening space cooperation, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced a joint satellite development initiative aimed at enhancing South Africa’s space technology capabilities. The announcement was made during the 2025 SAMENA Leaders’ Summit in Dubai by Mondli Gungubele, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation.
Gungubele confirmed that a memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the two countries, laying the foundation for technical and institutional collaboration. Backed by strong political support — including the presence of South Africa’s Vice President at the summit — the project reflects a shared vision for innovation and technological advancement.
The summit, hosted under the patronage of the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, drew high-level government and industry leaders from across the region. Gungubele praised the UAE’s remarkable development across sectors and expressed confidence in the partnership, describing the country as a benchmark of global excellence.
Boosting South Africa’s Space Ambitions
This partnership comes as South Africa continues to expand its footprint in the global space industry. The nation has already launched 12 satellites and is actively developing more, supported by its recently updated National Communication Satellite Strategy. South African space companies such as AAC Space Africa, NewSpace Systems, Simera Sense, Dragonfly Aerospace, and CubeSpace are gaining global recognition for their innovation in satellite manufacturing and high-reliability components.
AAC Space Africa, for instance, recently secured a contract worth over $213,000 to build and test two satellites — a clear sign of South Africa’s growing commercial capabilities.
With this new collaboration, South Africa aims to reinforce its role as a key player in the global space economy, while the UAE continues its ascent as a major space power. The joint project signals not just technological progress, but a deeper strategic alignment between two nations looking toward the stars.