Each African nation willing to have satellite

The Rwanda Utility and Regulation Authority RURA alongside the International Telecommunication Union affirms that the current international trends indicate that each African nation can hold its satellite to use in diverse areas such as telecommunication, agriculture, tele-medicine, among others.

The statement was made yesterday in high level meeting between East African Community representatives representing their respective companies and organization specialized into meteorology, telecommunication, agriculture, etc.

Those experts are learning on how each African nation can own its satellite which will allow it to develop in the above stated areas.

The CEO of the RURA Lt Col Patrick Nyirishema told participants that Africa needs such satellites that will enable it have timely and precise information for a sustainable economic plan and development.

Currently there is an Africa policy, spearheaded by the African Union, to create the Africa Space Agency.

Currently at least four African nations have operational satellites useful in varying areas of technology, meteorology and agriculture.

However Akim Falou Dine, the Head Master Register and Recording section in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) blames poor financial and managerial means of African nations to achieve that goal.

She reveals that the cheapest satellite is worthy US 40 000 and USD100 000.

This is a significant amount of money that most of African nations are unable and or reluctant to spend in the making and launching of a satellite.

Five African nations that have operational satellites are Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco and Kenya.

UM– USEKE.RW