Zimbabwe, a country in southern Africa, is setting its sights on outer space. The nation’s National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) has announced an exciting plan to work with Russia to build a spaceport and train its first astronaut. If all goes well, Zimbabwe hopes to launch its own rocket into space within the next ten years.
Painos Gweme, the director of ZINGSA, shared this bold vision in an interview with the Russian news agency TASS. He revealed that Zimbabwe has already started talks with Russia’s space corporation, Roscosmos, to make this dream a reality. The collaboration could also connect Zimbabwe to Russia’s world-class cosmonaut training program, preparing the country’s future astronauts for space travel.
“We believe that with the help of our Russian partners, we can launch our own rocket in the near future,” Gweme said. “We’re also planning to build a spaceport right here in Zimbabwe. We’ve started looking for the perfect location with the right natural conditions for a rocket launch.”
Why Zimbabwe is Looking to the Stars
Zimbabwe’s interest in space exploration isn’t just about making history; it’s about solving real-world problems. The country recently launched its second Earth observation satellite, ZimSat-2, from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome. This satellite is already helping Zimbabwe in critical areas like agriculture and mining. For example, it can monitor crop health, predict harvests, and even detect nutrient deficiencies in soil. These are vital tools in a country where severe droughts have left millions struggling with hunger.
Zimbabwe’s first satellite, ZimSat-1, was launched in 2023 in partnership with Japan. Now, with Russia’s support, the country is taking its ambitions to the next level—building its own rockets and training astronauts to venture into space.
Africa’s Growing Space Race
Zimbabwe isn’t the only African country looking to explore space. Other nations like Algeria, Angola, Egypt, and South Africa are also working with Russia on space projects. In fact, several African countries have teamed up with Roscosmos to build satellites for communication and security purposes.
Recently, the Alliance of Sahel States—comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—announced plans to launch satellites for border security and remote sensing. These efforts show that Africa is becoming a significant player in the global space race.
Russia’s Role in Zimbabwe’s Space Future
Russia has been a key partner in Zimbabwe’s space journey. During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last year, Roscosmos offered support to African nations like Algeria and Egypt for building an orbital station. For Zimbabwe, this partnership goes beyond space—it’s part of a broader effort to strengthen ties with Russia.
In November, the two countries held a major meeting to discuss trade, science, and technology. They agreed to expand their cooperation in areas like education, politics, and humanitarian aid. Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa even discussed joining BRICS, the international group of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
A Vision for the Future
Zimbabwe’s space ambitions reflect a bigger picture: the country’s determination to overcome challenges like sanctions and economic struggles. By partnering with global powers like Russia, Zimbabwe is not just aiming for the stars—it’s working to build a stronger future on Earth as well.
From launching rockets to training astronauts, Zimbabwe is proving that no dream is too big, even for a small nation. Who knows? The next decade could see Zimbabwe becoming Africa’s gateway to space.
