This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
On Friday, Ethiopia launched its first satellite into space, marking a major milestone in its quest for development and innovation.
Government officials and members of the public gathered at the Entoto Observatory and Research Center, north of the nation's capital, to witness this historic event.
Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen hailed the launch as a 'foundation for our historic journey to prosperity.'
The satellite, a collaborative project between China and Ethiopia, was built at a cost of over $7 million, with the Chinese government footing $6 million of the bill.
According to Xinhua news, the satellite, weighing 65 kilograms, has a 2-year lifespan and will be instrumental in collecting data to monitor agriculture and predict weather patterns.
As part of the African Union's 2017 policy to venture into space for economic progress, Ethiopia's actions are a significant step towards achieving universal and sustainable development.
As Solomon Baley, Director General of the Ethiopian Space, Science and Technology Institute, noted, 'Space is food, space is job creation, a tool for technology… sovereignty, to reduce poverty.'
