Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa Tuesday launched a space agency, hailing it as a "milestone" as he campaigns ahead of elections at the end of the month.

The Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency will deploy earth observation satellites, global navigation satellite systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, geospatial and space technologies for better farming, mineral exploration, wildlife conservation, infrastructure management and disease surveillance, he said in Harare.

"This initiative is expected to enhance Zimbabwe's capabilities in global discourses on generation, access, use and regulation of the application of space technology and innovation for sustainable development."

Mnangagwa, who took over from ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe in November, has vowed to tackle mass unemployment, which hovers above 80 percent, by luring back foreign investment and investing in infrastructure.

He has pledged to develop Zimbabwe -- wrecked under decades of his predecessor's rule - into a middle-income economy by 2030.

Zimbabwe's economy faces formidable challenges after Mugabe oversaw land seizures that saw agricultural output crash and the national currency abandoned after hyperinflation wiped out savings.

Mnangagwa, 75, faces opposition Movement for Democratic Change's young leader Nelson Chamisa in the presidential contest.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Sixteen fishermen 'missing' after clashes on Uganda/Congo lake
Goma, Dr Congo (AFP) July 9, 2018
Sixteen Congolese fishermen are missing on Lake Edward, which is shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, after deadly clashes between the Ugandan navy and DRC armed forces, a Congolese official said on Monday. Thirty people are now either dead or missing after tensions on the lake erupted late last week. "Local people are already organising wakes here and there - there are eight dugout canoes which are missing, each of which had two fishermen on board," said Donat Kibwana, admini ... read more