South Africa concluded what the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) described as a strategically aligned participation at the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), hosted by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in Antalya, Turkey, from 5 to 9 October 2026.

The dtic said the congress delivered returns across its industrialisation, export development and regulatory mandates, citing three strands of activity in particular: the admission of the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA) to the IAF as a Member Organisation, the performance of African legal talent at the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) Moot Court, and the continued presence of South African industry at the South African Space Pavilion.

SACSA ADMITTED AS AN IAF MEMBER ORGANISATION

On Monday 5 October 2026, during the IAF General Assembly’s Membership Report, SACSA was formally approved as a Member Organisation of the IAF. According to the dtic, membership gives South Africa formal international recognition of its regulatory framework for the licensing, registration and oversight of space activities, a voice in international discussions on space sustainability and standards, and access to a network of more than 500 member organisations across 75 countries. The department said the step strengthens investor confidence and positions South Africa as a jurisdiction open for space business while compliant with international obligations.

TEN SOUTH AFRICAN FIRMS EXHIBIT AT THE SPACE PAVILION

In partnership with the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD) and the South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Export Council (SAAMDEC), the dtic supported ten South African space enterprises exhibiting at the South African Space Pavilion for the duration of the congress. The pavilion focused on earth observation, geospatial intelligence, satellite subsystems and downstream applications relevant to agriculture, mining, logistics, disaster management and environmental monitoring. Exhibiting businesses were drawn from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Limpopo, and included black-owned and women-led firms.

STRATHMORE REACHES THE MOOT COURT SEMI-FINALS, MAJAJA HONOURED

On Tuesday 6 October 2026, Strathmore University Law School of Kenya, the Africa Regional winner, represented the continent in the semi-finals of the 35th Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, convened by the IISL and adjudicated by sitting judges of the International Court of Justice. At the World Finals on 8 October 2026, the Strathmore team was certified as a member of the Semi-Finalist Team and awarded a commemorative plaque.

At the same awards dinner, Ms Nomfuneko Majaja, the dtic’s Chief Director of Space Affairs, received the IISL Distinguished Service Award, recognising her service to the development of international space law. The dtic cited her role as Regional Organiser of the Manfred Lachs African Regional Competition and her service as Chair of the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space during 2022 and 2023.