Kenya is set to host a major global space innovation event this January. The Kenya Space Agency (KSA), in a statement on Thursday, January 29, said that it will host the inaugural ActInSpace Kenya Chapter in partnership with Expertise France (EF).
According to KSA, the event will be held on January 30–31, 2026, at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in Nairobi.
The event will bring together young innovators, researchers, developers, and entrepreneurs to design solutions powered by space technologies.
ActInSpace is a globally recognised innovation hackathon initiated by the French Space Agency and held regularly since 2014. It is co-organised with the European Space Agency (ESA), Telecom Valley, and the SAFE Cluster, and runs simultaneously in more than 60 cities worldwide.
ActInSpace Kenya Chapter
The contest challenges participants to address real-world socio-economic problems using satellite data, space-based services, and patented technologies.
During the Kenyan chapter, competitively selected university teams will take part in an intensive 24-hour hackathon under the guidance of business mentors, space industry professionals, and technical experts.
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Teams will develop and pitch space-enabled solutions to a panel of judges, with the top-performing team earning an opportunity to represent Kenya at the international ActInSpace finals in Bordeaux, France, in April 2026.
Other standout teams will receive continued mentorship, startup coaching, and technical support to help refine their ideas into viable products.
“This hackathon, which KSA intends to host annually, forms part of the Agency’s broader strategic commitment to nurturing Kenya’s space economy, building national space capacity, advancing space research and innovation and enhancing the utilisation of space-derived data and services to drive inclusive socio-economic development.”
Globally, ActInSpace has played a significant role in fostering space-based entrepreneurship. The contest has helped create more than 35 startups since its launch in 2014, with participants gaining rare access to patents from space agencies such as CNES and ESA.
The hosting of ActInSpace Kenya comes shortly after the country was selected as the only African nation to host the 2026 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, a prestigious international education and outreach initiative.
ARISS program
Under the ARISS program, Kenyans will have a rare opportunity to communicate directly with astronauts aboard the International Space Station through live amateur radio sessions scheduled between July and December 2026.
The initiative is designed to promote learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while inspiring public interest in space science and innovation. KSA has said Kenya’s selection for ARISS reflects growing international confidence in the country’s space capabilities and its expanding role within Africa’s emerging space sector.
Preparations for the program are already underway, with the Agency coordinating technical readiness and outreach activities alongside regional and international partners.
Meanwhile, KSA has invited eligible Kenyan universities and law schools to participate in the 2026 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition (MLSLMCC), organized under the auspices of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
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The competition offers law students a unique opportunity to engage in contemporary issues in international space law through simulated proceedings on a hypothetical space law dispute before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Participation in the competition is free of charge.
Successful teams that emerge as the best in the national rounds of the MLSLMCC will have the opportunity to advance to the regional/continental round of the competition.
Registration
Registration is open to all interested institutions and students and can be facilitated by contacting the Africa Regional Coordinator via email at [email protected] or [email protected], or the local Point of Contact at KSA via email at [email protected]. The registration deadline is January 30, 2026.
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