By Shongedzai Mugwagwa

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube has hinted that Zimbabwe will launch its own satellite into space in the coming year.

Presenting the 2020 National Budget yesterday, Prof Ncube argued that this was necessary as research and development were critical for Zimbabwe’s growth and it was in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of modern economy.

He said, “Research and development is critical for Zimbabwe’s social-economic transformation and competitiveness, as the country strives to attain Vision 2030.

“Research and Development Programmes will be supported by both Government and private sectors as the country seeks to innovate in developing new services or products, and also advance the value addition strategy.

“The Budget has set aside resources for the Research and Development programme, including the launch of the space satellite.”

The idea for the space agency seems to have been initiated by Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira who said that the space agency would help to solve some of the country’s problems.

 Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has since launched the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZNGSA) in June 2018.

Research has it that the launch of the Space Satellite would support Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and modernisation goals. It also reveals that the launch of the space satellite would help the country to prepare for natural disasters before they happen.

According to Government, its commitment to building the local space industry, will prepare the country into a hyper-connected future.

The choice to invest in space technologies is part of our broader mission to bridge the digital divide by providing equal digital opportunities to rural and remote communities.

The country would use the ZNGSA to enhance agriculture, mineral exploration, wildlife conservation, disease surveillance and infrastructure management and mapping.