More Than 2,600 Students Graduate from the Pathways to Space Program in Africa This Year

PRETORIA, South Africa, August 10, 2026 – The Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy (FASESA) and Boeing [NYSE: BA] celebrated the graduation of 2,626 students from the third annual ‘Pathways to Space’ program. Spanning Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and for the first time South Africa, this initiative continues to cultivate the next generation of aerospace leaders across the continent.

Henok Teferra Shawl, Boeing managing director for Africa, said: “By pairing students across the continent with distinguished industry mentors and real aerospace engineering challenges, we are helping build a homegrown talent pipeline that will power Africa’s contributions to the global space economy for decades to come”.

Sean Jacobs, FASESA managing director, added: “Pathways to Space is not only preparing students to pass examinations and earn qualifications, but also equipping them to solve real‑world challenges and make meaningful contributions to society. The program is already producing remarkable success stories. One of our learners was selected to participate in Mission ShakthiSAT, an inspiring international all‑women‑led lunar mission, while another designed a parabolic‑grid radio telescope —demonstrating the innovation, technical excellence, and problem‑solving capabilities the program is cultivating across Africa”. 

This year’s cohort included 832 students from Ethiopia, 50 from Kenya, 431 from Nigeria and 1,313 from South Africa. Over five months, participants explored basic principles of astronautics, systems engineering, human factors and materials science through project work and a high‑altitude balloon mission that reinforced their data‑analysis skills.

Virtual sessions with former astronauts and leading space professionals from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center, Final Frontier Design and top universities deepened students’ technical knowledge and helped shape career aspirations. Guests included Professor Jeff Volosin, Chair of Astronautical and Space Engineering at Capitol Technology University in the U.S., and Dr. Andrew Abercromby, a biomedical engineer and former NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) aquanaut.

The 2026 curriculum also introduced a new design challenge: students prototyped spacesuit concepts and tested problem‑solving approaches aligned with real industry needs.

Angel Nduvho Tambani, a 16‑year‑old student from Dzata Secondary School in South Africa, said: “Pathways to Space has been an inspiring experience. It deepened my understanding of space science and engineering while developing my teamwork, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The program has strengthened my confidence and inspired me to dream bigger, showing that young people from any background can pursue careers in science and technology.”

Since its 2024 launch, ‘Pathways to Space’ has already inspired almost 3,500 students across Africa.

The program aligns with the growth of Africa’s space sector and the regional coordination led by the African Union’s African Space Agency. Governments and national space agencies across the continent are expanding Earth‑observation, remote sensing, communications and satellite services — areas that will increasingly depend on a steady pipeline of skilled young professionals.

About FASESA

The Future African Space Explorer's STEM Academy is a young and growing initiative with the aim of bringing space exploration to the African classroom, wherein most learners have barriers of entry to the vocation due to a lack of access to information and resources. More information about the application process and the programs at www.fasesa.com.

About Boeing Africa

A leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing has supported Africa’s aviation sector for over seven decades. Boeing has offices in Ethiopia and South Africa and field service representatives working with airlines across the continent. Over the last ten years, Boeing has invested $14.5 million in partnerships with universities and non-profits in Africa. More than 58,500 people have participated in Boeing-supported STEM and workforce development programs across the continent over the last five years. Learn more: https://www.boeing.africa