Chinese officials on Thursday handed over a satellite ground station to the Namibian government in the outskirts of the capital Windhoek, marking another advance in China’s expanding overseas space program, according to Chinese state media reports cited by Reuters.
The facility, constructed with Chinese aid and located in the southern suburbs of Namibia’s capital, will significantly enhance the country’s capacity to receive and process satellite remote sensing data, according to state news agency Xinhua’s Friday report. The handover ceremony was attended by Namibia’s prime minister, who delivered remarks on behalf of the president expressing gratitude for China’s support.
As the United States reduces aid to African nations, China has been building alliances and expanding its space influence across the continent by providing satellites, laboratories, and monitoring stations. Beijing maintains it is helping Africa develop space programs to ensure no country is left behind. However, Reuters previously reported that China’s aid projects enable it to access a broader surveillance network in its quest for space dominance, allowing Beijing to utilize data and images collected from satellites, telescopes, and ground stations provided to African countries. Chinese personnel are also stationed long-term at facilities constructed in Africa.
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping stated that Namibia will have complete ownership and independent operation of the satellite ground station. He added that Chinese experts will continue providing technical support to the fourteen local technicians they helped train, and that phase two construction of the facility is underway. Photographs released by Xinhua show the facility’s dome prominently painted with the slogan “China’s Aid, Creating a Beautiful Future Together.”
Source: Radio France International, February 14, 2026
https://rfi.my/CRXX