COOPERATION IN SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,BETWEN RWANDA AND NIGERIA

 

A delegation from Nigeria made a visit for 3 days, from 3rd to 5th may 2007 in order to see how Rwanda can benefit in Nigeria’s Space Programme.

This visit follows an agreement between HE Paul KAGAME President of Rwanda and HE Olesegune OBASANJO, President of Nigeria, concluded during the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. HE Paul KAGAME expressed interest of the government of Rwanda in participating in Nigeria’s Space Programme. Consequently a technical team was constituted to visit Rwanda and discuss with Rwandan experts.

During a meeting with the delegation from Rwanda composed of Romain Murenzi Minister in the President’s Office in Charge of Science, Technology and Scientific Research, Nkubito BAKURAMUTSA, Executive Director of RITA, the Director of New ARTEL, Mr Francis KAREMERA, among others, the participants identified the capabilities of Nigeria in Earth observation satellite development through the NigeriaSat-1 and the proposed NigeriaSat-2 and in the area of satellite communication services through the Nigcomsat-1 which is scheduled to be launched on the 14th May 2007.

Consequently the following key areas of collaboration were identified:

• Communication services from Nigerian communications satellites
• Data and information sharing from the Nigerian Earth observation satellites;
• Establishment of an Earth observation ground receiving station in Rwanda;
• Capacity building in space science and technology;
• Technical support in all aspects of space science and technology as the need may arise;
• Any other areas defined by mutual agreement promoting development of space-based technical, industrial and scientific cooperation between the Parties.

The meeting emphasized the relevance of Space science and technology to sustainable socio-economic development, particularly in the areas of poverty alleviation and wealth creation through resource and environmental management, information sharing, communication, education, health, energy and disaster management. Specific areas of benefits to Rwanda were identified during the meeting as follows:

• Access to real time Earth observation satellite data.
• Possibility of benefiting from the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) and the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters” in the event of any major natural disaster
• Improvement in local capacity as a regional hub for Earth observation services.
• Improved communication services.
• Contribution to Rwanda’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy.

The meeting thereafter developed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Proposed Cooperation in Space science and technology between the two countries for consideration and approval of the two governments.