Boeing, FASESA expand Africa space STEM program to South Africa

March 5, 2026 in Companies, Science and Technology by Editor

A new edition of the Pathways to Space program is expanding to South Africa, aiming to train more than 2,000 African high school students in space science, satellite technology and aerospace engineering.

 

A continental initiative aimed at inspiring Africa’s next generation of aerospace professionals is expanding its footprint, with the third edition of the Pathways to Space program launching in South Africa for the first time.

The program, led by the Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy (FASESA) in partnership with Boeing, will train more than 2,000 high school students aged between 13 and 18 across Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa during the 2026 cycle.

The expansion reflects growing momentum behind science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education linked to the continent’s emerging space sector.

The program is delivered in collaboration with national education and science institutions, with participating state schools selected by ministries responsible for education and science and technology in each country.

According to Henok Teferra Shawl, Boeing’s managing director for Africa, the initiative is designed to show students that careers in the space sector extend far beyond the dream of becoming astronauts.

“Almost every child dreams’ of becoming an astronaut, but the space industry offers far broader opportunities — from building satellites and spacecraft and designing hardware and software to supporting mission control, launch operations, life-support systems and on-orbit research,” Shawl said.

He noted that Africa’s rapidly growing youth population represents a significant opportunity for the global aerospace industry if that talent can be connected to real-world technical skills.

“With its young and fast-growing population, Africa holds immense untapped potential. Through Pathways to Space, we try to connect that potential with real-world skills and future opportunities in the growing space ecosystem across the continent,” he said.

The 2026 program introduces a new engineering challenge themed “The First African Spacesuit,” through which students will explore the science and design principles behind spacesuit engineering, including materials science, human factors and life-support considerations.

Participants will engage in guided design workshops and virtual sessions with aerospace professionals and former astronauts, including experts connected to NASA Johnson Space Center, private aerospace firm Final Frontier Design and several leading United States universities.

Another central component of the initiative will be a high-altitude balloon mission designed to provide students with practical exposure to payload design, atmospheric science and data analysis. The hands-on experiments are intended to simulate aspects of near-space research and satellite operations.

FASESA founder and executive director Sean Jacobs said the program has rapidly grown into one of Africa’s most influential space education initiatives.

“Pathways to Space has grown into one of Africa’s most impactful space education initiatives,” Jacobs said. “The 2026 program reflects our commitment to expanding access, strengthening technical depth and equipping young people across the continent with the skills and confidence to participate in Africa’s space future.”

Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has already reached more than 1,200 students across Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, introducing them to space science, satellite technology and aerospace engineering.

The expansion comes at a time when space ambitions across Africa are accelerating. The African Space Agency, formally launched by the African Union in 2025, is expected to play a central role in coordinating continental space activities and strengthening collaboration between national space programs.

Several African countries are simultaneously advancing their own capabilities. Ethiopia is planning additional Earth-observation satellites to support environmental monitoring and development planning. Kenya is expanding satellite applications through the Kenya Space Agency, while Nigeria continues to strengthen remote-sensing and communications systems.

South Africa, the newest host country for the program, remains the continent’s most mature space ecosystem, with long-standing expertise in satellite engineering, space science and geospatial data applications.

For program organisers, the expansion of Pathways to Space forms part of a broader effort to cultivate the technical talent needed to sustain Africa’s growing participation in the global space economy — an industry increasingly central to telecommunications, climate monitoring, navigation and scientific research.

By bringing hands-on aerospace education into classrooms across four countries, the initiative aims to ensure that Africa’s rapidly growing youth population can play a meaningful role in shaping the continent’s space future.