Somalia Inks Satellite Cooperation Deal with China

GOOBJOOG NEWS | LIBREVILLE: Somalia has signed a cooperation agreement with China to expand the use of satellite data for development, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity in space-based technologies.

The memorandum of understanding was signed between Somalia’s Ministry of Communications and Technology and China’s Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Center on the sidelines of the NewSpace Africa Conference 2026 in Libreville.

Officials said the deal will focus on applying satellite imagery to support data-driven decision-making, innovation and sustainable development across key sectors.

The agreement also seeks to boost technical cooperation, knowledge exchange and the adoption of satellite-based applications, particularly in areas such as environmental monitoring, agriculture and infrastructure planning.

Somalia has in recent years stepped up efforts to invest in digital transformation and emerging technologies, including space-related initiatives, as part of broader plans to modernise its economy.

The partnership reflects growing engagement between African countries and international partners in the use of space technology to address development challenges, including climate monitoring and resource management.