South Africa is set to launch a dedicated national satellite through a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a major step toward enhancing its space capabilities and advancing digital infrastructure.
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Mondli Gungubele, confirmed the initiative, highlighting that the collaboration draws on the UAE’s advanced expertise in satellite technology and follows the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries in Dubai, which was attended by high-level officials and inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, under the patronage of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
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Gungubele said, “Through my repeated visits, I see that the UAE rivals first-world countries in its advanced infrastructure and vital sectors such as transportation, communications, hospitality, and urban development. This achievement proves that progress is not tied to colour or background, but rather to will, commitment, and hard work.”
This initiative reflects South Africa’s growing commitment to leveraging international cooperation to build technological capacity and reinforce its presence in the global digital landscape.
