The Future African Space Explorer’s STEM Academy (FASESA), in partnership with aerospace giant Boeing, has officially launched the second edition of its flagship “Pathways to Space” educational program across three African nations: Ethiopia, Nigeria, and—making its debut this year—Kenya.
The launch event, which took place on May 6, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the continent’s growing efforts to nurture a new generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts. This year’s program will engage up to 300 students aged 13 to 18 from state schools across the three countries, offering immersive learning in space science and astronautics.
“The ‘Pathways to Space’ program leverages Boeing’s extensive experience in space, combined with FASESA’s proven educational methodologies and deep understanding of the African educational landscape,” said Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing for Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia.
Sean Jacobs, executive director at FASESA, added, “This program reflects our shared dedication to building Africa’s future workforce in space and other STEM fields.”
Weekly Classes, Space Simulations, and a Capstone Documentary
Running over five months, the program will feature weekly in-class lessons, simulations of spacewalks, and robotic arm control exercises. Students will also collaborate on a capstone documentary project highlighting the significance of space exploration, while gaining firsthand exposure to various career paths in the aerospace sector. A key component includes exploring what it takes to become an astronaut.
The inaugural edition in 2024 proved highly successful, with students from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania launching a high-altitude balloon carrying student-designed payloads—an experience that both educated and inspired.
Africa’s Rising Space Ambitions
The expansion of the “Pathways to Space” program coincides with a wider continental momentum in space exploration:
- African Union: On April 20, 2025, the African Union inaugurated the African Space Agency (AfSA), headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. AfSA is tasked with unifying and accelerating space efforts across the AU’s 55 member states.
- Ethiopia: With two satellites already in orbit, Ethiopia aims to launch its third Earth observation satellite by 2026 and reach 10 satellites by 2035.
- Kenya: Through the Kenya Space Agency, established in 2017, the country launched its first satellite in 2018 and added the operational Taifa-1 Earth observation satellite in 2023.
- Nigeria: Nigeria, a long-time player in African space science, has launched six satellites since creating its national space agency in 1999.
Broader Impact and Future Goals
Beyond reaching students in these three countries, FASESA and Boeing have announced intentions to expand the program to additional African nations in future editions. Their shared goal is to reduce barriers of entry into the space sector—especially for students in underserved communities—with access to open-source content, localized resources, and mentorship.
Since 2008, Boeing has partnered with over 40 non-profit organizations in Africa, investing over $22 million in educational and economic empowerment initiatives across the continent.
FASESA, for its part, continues to grow as a force for democratizing access to space education across Africa, guided by its mission to bring the cosmos to classrooms traditionally excluded from such opportunities.
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