By Sellah Singini
LILONGWE-(MANA)-Ministry of Information and Digitisation has said investing in space technologies will benefit Malawi in supporting and informing planning and mitigation of uncertainties.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of Space Conference in Lilongwe, Minister of Information and Digitisation, Gospel Kazako said space technologies have several capabilities to enable the country build systems that could predict catastrophes such as floods and other natural disasters.
“Through such technologies, countries like Malawi that are prone to such disasters will be in a position to be well informed and plan appropriate mitigation measures,” he said.
Kazako added that, “Discussions around space resources that we have initiated will provide the country with a voice in exploration of global space initiatives and help to protect its orbital slot which is at the risk of being lost if not utilised.”
He said was excited that the country has accepted the challenge to explore space resources as a way of being ready for the future.
Board Chairperson for MACRA, Dr. Stanley Khaila said Malawi like any other country was endowed with natural resources like land, water, forests which the country have been using since the beginning of time and space is another resource the country has.
He said Malawi’s exploration of Space services has therefore been limited to radio communications and not much was done.
“Now being focused on Malawi 2063 Agenda, there is a drive to maximise the use of space services for the benefit of Malawians. Space programmes are initiatives that are carried out to leverage the benefits of space services.
“The space programmes applications span from radio communications, earth explorations, national security, disaster relief management, navigation, health, education, natural resource management, agriculture, etc,” he said.
Khaila added the space industry has an economic impact on Malawi as it would grow by 40 percent in terms of worth from US$ 7 billion in 2019 to US$10 billion in 2024.
The conference organised by Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is held under the theme exploring space resources for Malawi 2063.
