New era of satellite technology for Ethiopia

Ethiopia thrusts into a new horizon in promoting evidence based socio-economic development by launching the ETRSS-1 micro satellite into space for the first time in the entire history of the country. In fact, the peoples and government of Ethiopia made the most unforgettable history in the Horn of Africa by joining the worldwide competition.

According to Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the vision for introducing satellite technology was introduced 12 years back with the first proposal submitted to the government for launching a multi-purpose satellite into space. Now gone are the days in which Ethiopia was branded as a country of drought and famine. Thanks to the national reform program and leadership commitment to enforce comprehensive socio-economic development of the country, the launching of the ETRSS-1 symbolized an irreversible thrust to a new stage of the country’s progress not only in science and technology but also in the development of information technology required for the country’s development programs.

Ethiopia launched its satellite amidst a critical need for updated information on agriculture, climate conditions, disaster management, weather and agro-ecological information, potentials in mining and environmental information.

 Self-reliance in information is a critical factor for the battle against poverty currently raging in Ethiopia. The launching of the satellite enables the country to prepare facts and evidence based national planning which can effectively target the gaps in the development needs of the country. Ethiopia has also managed to produce the first satellite technology engineers that fully manage the status of the 72kg satellite in its orbit.

Some may think that launching a satellite for Ethiopia at this stage is unnecessary. Although Ethiopia has launched this satellite for her development needs, the country is expected to share vital development information with the rest of Africa and the countries of the world at large.

Apart from its scientific and technological advantages, the satellite launching program has vividly indicated the correct strategy on which Ethiopia is conducting its foreign policy and economic diplomacy. Ethiopia’s foreign policy and diplomacy is effectively aligned with the country’s economic development polices and the country’s relations with the People’s Republic of China is a conspicuous demonstration of South-South relations.

Experts say that the launching of Ethiopia’s first satellite would help to recover the cost of 350 million USD the country would expend for satellite services annually. Besides the unfathomable information and knowledge that the country accesses would help to boost research and promotion of quality education in the country.

Information from the satellite which has just been launched will accelerate the pace of the development of Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy with particular emphasis on greening the entire country by monitoring the status of millions of trees planted across the country.

Nonetheless, Ethiopia’s satellite develo pment program is already helping to ignite the desire for more knowledge among the youth in schools, researcher in higher institutes of learning in the country and the private sector engaged in multiple activities of investment in the country.

To date, Ethiopia has not been able to fully utilize its mineral resources partly due to lack of quality and detailed information about the existing potentials. Information dispatched from the satellite would help to close the gap on lack of detailed information on the mining resources of the country.

Apart from the above mentioned advantages that Ethiopia can secure from the nation’s satellite, it would also help to promote a national disaster early warning system that could be used by all sectors of the economy.

The development of national geo-science learning and information systems is still at its infant stage in Ethiopia. The nation’s satellite system will provide to further boost the national geological survey program by providing the latest information on the spatial distribution of geological profile of the country.

Among other things, the launching of the satellite would help to cement the unity of purpose among the peoples of Ethiopia to implement the 10 years national multi-purpose economic plan.

Furthermore, the start up in satellite technology would establish an information technology sharing among IGAD and East and Horn of Africa countries, making Ethiopia a hub for African information systems to promote African Free Trade Area to which Ethiopia is a signatory.

As stated by the Prime Minister, this year and the coming years are years in which Ethiopia will witness its uplifting in every aspect of the country’s development. Yes, the country has to travel longer years before its development needs are fully addressed but if Ethiopia is to emerge from stark poverty, the youth of this country need to rethink on what they can do for their country through their full commitment on their education. Today, the nation has launched a satellite and tomorrow has a lot in store for this historic country.

The Ethiopian Herald December24, 2019

 BY SOLOMON DIBABA

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