Zimbabwe’s recently launched satellite, ZimSat-2, has stirred conversations around its cost and potential value.
Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, defended the USD 600,000 expenditure on the satellite, arguing that the benefits far outweigh the initial investment.
Speaking on the project, Ncube stated that the cost of ZimSat-2 is not only justified but also efficient given the satellite’s expected impact.
“USD 600,000 is a modest and efficient expenditure considering the extensive benefits ZimSat-2 will bring,” Ncube said. “This satellite will be instrumental in enhancing national data collection capabilities, particularly for agriculture, climate monitoring, and disaster management.”
The launch of ZimSat-2 is part of Zimbabwe’s broader vision to boost its space capabilities, aiming to improve resource management and bolster efforts in key sectors through real-time satellite data. With agricultural productivity and climate resilience being national priorities, the satellite is expected to play a critical role in gathering data that can inform and strengthen these areas.
ZimSat-2 follows ZimSat-1, Zimbabwe’s first satellite, launched as a part of a collaboration with international space organizations.
