Tanzania is seeking Russian expertise to establish a national space agency and develop satellite capabilities, with its first Earth observation satellite scheduled for launch in March 2027.

The partnership gives the East African country access to Russian technical support, launch services and specialist training as it works to build a domestic space programme. The agreement also includes discussions on establishing ground stations in Tanzania to receive satellite data.

Signed on October 28, 2026, by Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos and Tanzania’s Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, the agreement marks a new phase in the country’s efforts to develop space technology.

Russia to support Tanzania’s space ambitions

Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov said Russia was prepared to provide technical and methodological assistance to Tanzania as it establishes its national space agency.

The agency would coordinate the country’s space activities, while the wider cooperation programme covers satellite development, data sharing and specialist training.

Russia has confirmed plans to launch Tanzania’s first Earth observation satellite in March 2027 using a Russian rocket. The countries have also discussed establishing ground stations in Tanzania to receive satellite imagery.

Tanzania has expressed interest in developing its own spacecraft and eventually launching them aboard Russian rockets. However, the manufacturer, technical specifications and cost of the planned 2027 satellite have not been publicly disclosed.

The partnership also includes training opportunities in space engineering and related disciplines, with Tanzania planning to increase the number of students pursuing space-related studies at Russian universities.

Tanzania already has a five-year space development plan

The Russian agreement builds on a national programme Tanzania unveiled in February 2026. The government’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for Space Programmes, covering 2025 to 2030, is titled From Mount Kilimanjaro, the Peak of Africa, to Space.

Its priorities include establishing institutional and regulatory frameworks, developing specialist skills, strengthening research and expanding the use of space technology across economic and social sectors.

Tanzania is also participating in the KiboCube programme, jointly run by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

Through the initiative, a Tanzanian university team and researchers from Côte d’Ivoire are developing TanSat-1, a separate nanosatellite project. It is distinct from the Earth observation satellite scheduled for launch by Russia in March 2027.

Agriculture and climate monitoring offer economic opportunities

Satellite technology could support Tanzania’s efforts to improve agricultural productivity and respond to climate-related risks.

The country has identified agriculture, food security, mining, water management and environmental monitoring as areas where space technology could be applied, according to its 2023 presentation to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

An existing initiative demonstrates the potential of satellite-based agricultural services. In May 2025, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and China’s International Development Cooperation Agency launched the SAT-CARE project in Tanzania.

Backed by $2.268 million in Chinese funding, the initiative aims to use satellite-based information to strengthen climate resilience and agricultural productivity. It is expected to directly benefit 5,000 smallholder farmers.

The economic stakes are significant. The World Bank estimates that climate change could reduce Tanzania’s economic growth by up to 4% by 2050 without effective action.

Developing the capacity to collect and use satellite data could therefore give Tanzania additional tools to monitor environmental risks, support farming and strengthen climate adaptation.