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Nairobi, July 18, 2025 — The Kenya Space Agency (KSA), in partnership with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), marked a groundbreaking moment for Africa’s space innovation landscape with the dual launch of the Kenya Space Sector Communities of Practice (CoPs) and the Africa Earth Observation Challenge (AEOC) 2025 supported by the RISA Fund. Held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the event drew key players from government, academia, private sector, and international partners, united by a common vision of leveraging space technology to drive sustainable development.
Communities of Practice: Building Kenya’s Space Backbone
Speaking at the official launch of the CoPs, the Director General of KSA Brig Hillary Kipkosgey underscored the importance of structured collaboration in unlocking Kenya’s space potential. The CoPs, are rooted in the outcomes of the Kenya Space Innovation Ecosystem Maturity Assessment and the National Space Innovation Ecosystem Roadmap.
“These communities are more than just academic concepts or bureaucratic structures,” the DG emphasized. “They are living ecosystems designed to drive Kenya’s transformation through shared knowledge, collaborative problem-solving, and integrated innovation.”
Seven CoPs were launched, each targeting a pillar of Kenya's national development:
· Human Settlements, Spatial Planning & Health Systems
· Data Governance & Infrastructure
· Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Action
· Sustainable Land, Agriculture & Resource Management
· Space Systems Engineering
· Space Science & Astronomy
· Defence & Security
Each community of practice is envisioned as a hub for experts and innovators to co-develop solutions aligned with Kenya’s unique development needs. A five-year implementation plan has been rolled out, aiming to host triannual engagements, annual forums, and multi-stakeholder initiatives. The DG called on all stakeholders to participate actively, reminding them that the success of these CoPs lies not in the structures created but in the commitment of each member.
Africa Earth Observation Challenge 2025: A New Chapter for Innovation
Later in the day, the Africa Earth Observation Challenge (AEOC) 2025 was officially launched, reinforcing the agency’s pan-African ambitions. Originally founded in 2015 as a South African initiative the AEOC has evolved into a continent-wide program designed to promote space-tech entrepreneurship.
“The AEOC is no longer just a one-off competition,” the DG stated. “It is now a multi-year program integrating capacity building, regional engagement, and innovation tracks focused on thematic areas like food security, climate action, and environmental monitoring.”
The AEOC 2025 aligns with the Kenya Space Ecosystem Roadmap and will feed directly into the KSA Space Ecosystem Innovation Hub, a bold move to position Kenya as a leader in Africa’s space economy. Notably, the 2024 edition saw 13 finalists selected from 73 submissions, three of which were from Kenya, highlighting the country's emerging talent in Earth observation solutions.
Apply for Africa Earth Observation Challenge
Through targeted integration of AI, GNSS, and SAR technologies, the challenge is set to inspire groundbreaking applications in agriculture, disaster response, and urban planning.
Both launches emphasized the power of partnership, with special recognition given to RIIS and the RISA Fund for their unwavering support. The DG praised the collaborative efforts that had made the event a success and expressed confidence in Kenya’s growing role within the global space community.
“As we kick off the AEOC 2025 and officially launch the CoPs, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing Africa’s space-tech ecosystem. Let us empower our innovators, expand our partnerships, and unlock the full potential of Earth observation and space science for the benefit of our continent.”
The event concluded with a call to action: for all stakeholders to engage actively in shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking space ecosystem for Kenya and Africa at large.
Thank you to everyone who attended and made the events a success and special thanks to RIIS - Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability The RISA Fund and Africa Earth Observation Challenge for their support. watch the event highlights
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