Nigeria, three other countries benefit as Boeing, FASESA roll out space programme

By: Amarachi Okonkwo

The Future African Space Explorer’s STEM Academy (FASESA), in partnership with Boeing, has launched the third edition of the Pathways to Space programme, with Nigeria among the beneficiary countries.

The initiative, which is expanding to South Africa for the first time, will train more than 2,000 high school students aged 13–18 across Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, equipping them with foundational skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) linked to the space industry.

Read Also:

• World Bank Reduces CBN Grant to $6.8 Million
• Nigeria FIRS Rolls Out E‑Invoicing, Fiscal Monitoring System
• FG Partners AFC on $1.3bn Mining Push to Drive Industrial Processing and Investment

In a statement, Boeing’s Managing Director for Africa, Henok Teferra Shawl, said the programme is being implemented in collaboration with local educational and government institutions, with participating state schools selected by national Ministries of Education and Ministries of Science and Technology.

“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 presents significant opportunities for the development of a vibrant space ecosystem.

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

For the 2026 edition, organisers will introduce a new design challenge themed “The First African Spacesuit.” The project will engage students in areas such as spacesuit engineering, human-factor design and materials science through hands-on learning modules.

Participants will also take part in guided design workshops and virtual sessions with former astronauts and aerospace professionals from NASA Johnson Space Center, Final Frontier Design, and leading universities in the United States.

A key feature of the programme is a high-altitude balloon mission, which will allow students to gain practical experience in payload design, atmospheric science and data analysis.

Executive Director of FASESA, Sean Jacobs, said the initiative has evolved into one of Africa’s most impactful space education programmes.

“Pathways to Space has grown into one of Africa’s most impactful space education initiatives. The 2026 programme 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,” Jacobs said.

Since its launch in 2024, the programme has reached more than 1,200 students across Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, with plans to further expand its reach and enrich the curriculum in the coming years.