When the Artemis II mission orbited the moon in April this year, Malawians followed with enthusiasm.
As one commentator put it: “Even from the margins of the world, we looked up and believed we belonged among the stars.”
However, while Malawians were watching, learning and sharing insights, the country lacks a national framework to turn that excitement into research, innovation or meaningful participation in space science.
Countries with established space agencies, such as South Africa, Rwanda and Nigeria, used the moment to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) programmes and expand their space ecosystems.
Curiosity without direction fades and potential without structure is eventually lost.
Across Africa, space science is increasingly recognised as essential for development, supporting weather forecasting, disaster management, agriculture, national security and modern governance.
Yet Malawi remains largely absent from this transformation.
In a world guided by data from space, those without access are not just behind, they are invisible.
The problem is not a lack of talent or need, but delayed policy implementation, weak institutional commitment and the absence of a clear strategic direction.
Central to this challenge is the failure to operationalise the Malawi Space Agency, established in 2023 under the Communications Act of 2016.
Without a functioning agency, Malawi lacks coordination in space-related activities, integration of satellite data into national planning and the ability to build a sustainable space ecosystem.
Efforts remain fragmented and opportunities are missed.
A nation that hesitates in moments of transformation risks watching its future being built by others.
Despite these challenges, Malawi is not starting from zero.
Mzuzu University, Malawi University of Science and Technology and Malawi University of Business and Applied Science have trained graduates in engineering, geospatial science and data analysis.
These young professionals are a valuable resource, but they lack a structured platform to apply their skills. Aligning university training with a national space agenda could build expertise, promote innovation and reduce brain drain.
Meanwhile, the rest of Africa is advancing. The African Space Agency (Afsa) represents a major step toward continental collaboration in satellite development, data sharing and capacity building.
Malawi has a strategic advantage through its representation at this level, thanks to Afsa vice-president Thandikile Mbvundula.
But a seat at the table carries meaning only when it is matched by voice, action and commitment.
Without a national framework, the country risks remaining a passive observer.
Countries investing in space capabilities improve agriculture through satellite monitoring, strengthen disaster preparedness with early warning systems, enhance urban planning and support national security.
These benefits directly address Malawi’s recurring challenges.
Every flood, every drought and every failed harvest reminds us that space science is not a luxury, it is survival.” According to Afsa president Dr Tidiane Outtara, space science is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity.
In recent years, Malawi has faced repeated floods, droughts and unpredictable weather patterns.
Satellite-based Earth observation could transform responses from reactive to proactive.
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and the farmer in the field deserves the same precision as the scientist in the laboratory.”
The question is no longer whether space science matters, but whether Malawi is ready to act. Progress requires deliberate steps.
The government must establish a clear legal and policy framework defining the mandate and financing of a space agency, supported by a lean institutional structure focused on priority areas such as Earth observation and data analytics.
Investment in human capital and partnerships with regional and global institutions is equally essential.
Let us foster a culture of scientific ambition by integrating space science into school curricula, supporting innovation hubs and encouraging public-private partnerships can transform ideas into solutions.
Nations that lead tomorrow are those that choose to invest in innovations today. Malawi’s slow progress is not due to incapacity, but delayed commitment.
The tools, expertise and opportunities already exist. We need decisive and sustained action now because the future will not wait for Malawi to be ready; it will move forward with or without us.
In an era where decisions on Earth are shaped by data from space, Malawi cannot afford to remain on the sidelines. – Dr Maggie Munthali-Nkosi
The author is a research fellow at Mwapata Institute.
