Just a week after the curtains closed on the 2025 African Regional Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, the impact of the event continues to resonate across the continent’s legal and space communities.
Held from 22–23 May at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, the 16th edition of the African regional competition brought together 10 universities from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in a landmark gathering of legal minds. The event was convened by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), alongside the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and supported by the National Earth Observation and Space Secretariat (NEOSS).
The Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition is globally recognised as the premier legal contest in the domain of outer space law. Organised by the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), the competition simulates a fictional dispute before the International Court of Justice. Regional winners from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas advance to the global finals – traditionally judged by sitting International Court of Justice judges, making this one of the most prestigious legal challenges for law students worldwide.
Strathmore University of Kenya claimed first place, securing the honour of representing Africa at the world finals in Sydney, Australia, later this year, an exciting development as the world eyes Africa’s increasing stake in space affairs.
Reflecting on the successful hosting of the competition, the Chief Director of Space Affairs at the dtic and Africa Regional Coordinator for the competition, Ms Nomfuneko Majaja, described the event as a pivotal moment in Africa’s space law journey.
“Hosting the 2025 Africa Regional Rounds in South Africa was an big privilege. This competition has become a flagship initiative for promoting space law education and building legal capacity across our continent,” she said.
She noted that the growing depth and diversity of participation was particularly encouraging.
“Seeing ten teams from five countries, many of them new entrants, engage with such professionalism and insight was inspiring. It speaks volumes about Africa’s readiness to engage in space law technically, responsibly and collaboratively,” she added.
Looking back at the calibre of students involved, Majaja shared her optimism for the continent’s future in space affairs.
“This year’s competition went beyond advocacy; it was a preview of the future of African space governance. The students we watched in court are tomorrow’s policymakers, advisors, and legal architects for space,” she reflected.
With participation more than doubling from the previous year, the event signalled a clear uptick in continental interest in the legal frameworks underpinning outer space activities, just ahead of the inauguration of the African Space Agency in Egypt, a milestone under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The competition’s theme, “Space Law for Global Solidarity and Equality”, dovetailed with South Africa’s G20 Presidency and ongoing calls for multilateralism in space affairs. Moot participants tackled issues surrounding the legality of space activities in conflict, arguing before a bench of esteemed judges from across the continent and the global academic community.
Notable awards included:
- Best Memorials – Cavendish University, Uganda
- Best Oralist – Charity Muthoni, Strathmore University, Kenya
- Second Place – Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
- Third Place – Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria
Majaja also paid tribute to the participants and organisers who made the event possible.
“We are deeply grateful to the students, coaches, judges, and institutions that committed their time and energy to this effort. From months of research to international travel, your dedication was truly commendable. This is how we build a pipeline of legal excellence and ensure Africa’s voice is strong in global space affairs,” she said.
As Africa Day (25 May) passed just days after the event, the regional rounds served as a fitting reminder of the continent’s growing unity and ambition in global affairs. From university classrooms to international courts, African students and legal professionals are making their voices heard in one of the most complex and consequential frontiers of modern law.
the dtic and the South African Council for Space Affairs reaffirmed their support for growing space law capacity and enabling Africa’s youth to participate in responsible, peaceful, and innovative space governance.
Other supporters amongst this premier legal event is Dragonfly Aerospace, the pioneering South African company behind the country’s first commercial Earth Observation satellite launched in 2023 and successfully navigated the national regulatory process under the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA). This marked the first time a private company completed the full licensing procedure in compliance with domestic legislation and in alignment with the United Nations Registration and Liability Conventions for launching a satellite from United States of America.
Demonstrating their commitment to nurturing the next generation of space professionals, Dragonfly Aerospace generously supported student participants from Cavendish University by covering their flight expenses.
NewSpace Systems also played a vital role by sponsoring the awards ceremony, further underscoring the private sector’s dedication to advancing Africa’s presence in the global space arena.
The Chief Director of Space Affairs at the dtic and Africa Regional Coordinator for the competition, Ms Nomfuneko Majaja, delivering a jeynote address during the 2025 African Regional Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition in Pretoria.
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