Kenya Innovation Week 2024 Space Summit Awards

On Thursday, 28th November 2024, the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) Director General, Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey, officially opened the inaugural Space Summit at Kenya Innovation Week (KIW). The event, which attracted over 150 participants, featured the Africa Earth Observation Challenge (AEOC) final pitching event, a panel discussion titled Pioneering the Future: Innovations and Envisioned Projects in the Space Ecosystem, and partner presentations from Alana Kruger, Innovate UK and Byron ANANGWE, Expertise France.

The summit underscored the transformative potential of Kenya's and space industry in addressing socio-economic challenges and positioned the country as a premier African hub for space innovation and investment. Among the 14 African finalists, Kenyan start-ups secured the top two positions. Maryanne Gichanga of AgriTech Analytics Limited clinched first place, followed by Dickson Oduor of Aquatech Integrated Solutions. The third position went to Dr. Ifriky TADADJEU from Cameroon’s Nanosatellite Missions Design Limited. Winners were awarded cash prizes, access to high-resolution satellite data, and subscriptions to commercial GIS software. They will also benefit from a six-month mentorship program, including incubation, acceleration, and other resources provided by AEOC partners.

The moderator of the panel Njeri Maina A of DEN ltd engaged the panelists Andrew Nyawade (KSA), Yankho Likaku (RIIS), Meshack Kinyua (AfriOrbit), Vivianne Meta (LocateIT_KE), John Kamara ( Adanian Labs) , Alana Kruger ( Innovate UK) and participants in discussions on key topics, including current milestones in the space sector, the application of disruptive technologies in space, and envisioned projects for the future. Participants emphasized the need for human capacity development, infrastructure investment, and strengthening partnerships to advance the space ecosystem.

KSA and its partners look forward to hosting the second edition of the Space Summit at KIW 2025, aiming for even greater participation and impact..


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