The government has invited bids for transaction advisory services to support the development of a commercial spaceport, bringing Kenya a step closer to joining the global space economy.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the National Treasury in collaboration with the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), marking a major milestone in the country’s long-term space ambitions.
The call for bids was announced by the Kenya Space Agency on X. According to the agency, the tender targets firms with proven experience in large-scale infrastructure and space-related projects.
“Transaction Advisory Services for Development of a Commercial Spaceport. The Government of Kenya, through the National Treasury and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), is inviting qualified firms to provide transaction advisory services for the development of a commercial spaceport in Kenya, leveraging the country’s unique equatorial location and east-facing coastline,” KSA stated.
The proposed spaceport is expected to enable satellite launches and other space-related activities to be carried out locally, reducing reliance on costly overseas launch facilities.
The project would place Kenya among a small group of countries with the capability to support commercial space operations.
Kenya’s geographical position offers a major advantage for space launches. Its location along the equator allows rockets to reach orbit using less fuel, while the east-facing Indian Ocean coastline provides safer launch corridors. These conditions make the country attractive to satellite operators and space technology firms.
Africa currently lacks an active commercial satellite launch facility, forcing governments and private companies to rely on launch services outside the continent.
The planned Kenyan spaceport is expected to address this gap and position the country as a regional hub for satellite deployment, research and space-based services.
The initiative also builds on Kenya’s historical involvement in space science. The Luigi Broglio Space Centre near Malindi supported satellite launches from the 1960s to the late 1980s and remains operational today as a satellite tracking and data reception station, reflecting Kenya’s long-standing participation in international space programmes.
In recent years, Kenya has expanded its space capabilities through projects such as the launch of Taifa-1, the country’s first Earth observation satellite, which was deployed using a foreign launch service.
The government sees a domestic spaceport as a critical step toward strengthening local capacity and reducing long-term costs.
Due to the complex and sensitive nature of space operations, the development process will involve coordination with several government agencies.
These include the Ministry of Defence, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the Kenya Maritime Authority, the National Intelligence Service and the National Environment Management Authority.
KSA has encouraged eligible firms to submit their applications, noting that a virtual pre-bid conference will be held on January 9, 2026.
The deadline for submissions has been set for February 13, 2026.
“Interested firms are encouraged to participate, with a virtual pre-bid conference scheduled for 9 January 2026 and the application deadline set for 13 February 2026. For more information: https://ksa.go.ke/ksa-tenders.html. Deadline: 13 February 2026.”
If successfully implemented, the commercial spaceport could unlock new economic opportunities for Kenya, attract investment in advanced technologies and strengthen the country’s position in the global space industry, while also serving the growing needs of Africa’s satellite and space research sector.
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