The Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy (FASESA) and Boeing have launched the third edition of the Pathways to Space program, with Nigeria as one of the beneficiaries.

The programme, which is expanding to South Africa for the first time, would also train more than 2,000 high school students aged 13–18 in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria.

A statement by the Managing Director for Africa, Boeing, Henok Teferra Shawl, said that the program is delivered in collaboration with local educational and government institutions, with participating state schools identified by national Ministries of Education and Ministries of Science and Technology.

He said: “Almost every child dreams of becoming an astronaut, but the space industry offers far broader opportunities — from building satellites and spacecraft and designing hardware and software to supporting mission control, launch operations, life-support systems and on-orbit research.

“With its young and fast-growing population, Africa holds immense untapped potential. Through Pathways to Space, we try to connect that potential with real-world skills and future opportunities in the growing space ecosystem across the continent.”

In 2026, the company said that program organisers would introduce a new design challenge under the theme: ‘The First African Spacesuit.’

Students would explore spacesuit engineering, human factors and materials science through hands-on, industry-aligned learning, including guided design workshops and virtual sessions with former astronauts and global aerospace professionals from NASA’s Johnson Space Centre, Final Frontier Design and leading U.S. universities.

Another core component of the program would be a high-altitude balloon mission, during which students would deepen their practical understanding of payload design, atmospheric science and data analysis.

Also commenting, Executive Director of FASESA, Sean Jacobs, said that Pathways to Space has grown into one of Africa’s most impactful space education initiatives.

Jacobs said that the 2026 program reflects the company’s commitment to expanding access, strengthening technical depth and equipping young people across the continent with the skills and confidence to participate in Africa’s space future.

Since its 2024 launch, Pathways to Space has already inspired more than 1,200 students in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, with plans for further expansion and curriculum enrichment. (The Guardian)

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