Zolana João: The Engineer Putting Angola on the Map of the Space Economy

Zolana João has transformed his leadership of Angola’s National Space Programme into a platform for expanding the country’s role in the global space economy, with the launch of ANGOSAT-2 standing as one of the defining milestones of his career.

As head of Angola’s National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN) since 2014, the engineer has worked to turn satellite infrastructure into practical tools for connectivity, Earth observation, geospatial artificial intelligence and economic development.

His influence extends well beyond Angola’s borders. He currently chairs the Steering Committee of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Shared Satellite initiative, which brings together 16 countries in a project to develop a jointly owned satellite. He has also served as Vice-Chair of AP-41 for Region D of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), contributing to regulatory coordination and discussions on the role of satellite communications in public services and digital connectivity.

Under his leadership, Angola has sought to unlock greater economic value from space technologies. Among the initiatives is ANGEO-1, the country’s first planned high-performance Earth observation satellite, designed to provide imagery and geospatial data to support environmental monitoring, disaster response and national development planning. Angola’s Geospatial Data Centre (GEDAE) is another cornerstone of this strategy, helping to transform satellite data into actionable intelligence for decision-makers.

The ambition is to ensure these resources move beyond technical applications and deliver tangible benefits. Projects linked to ANGOSAT-2 and Connecta Angola aim to expand connectivity, particularly in rural communities, while Earth observation technologies have the potential to improve agricultural and infrastructure planning, risk management and responses to climate change.

The challenge lies in embedding these capabilities into government decision-making processes while creating opportunities for the private sector to put them to productive use.

International collaboration is another central pillar of João’s work. As an affiliated researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he participates in initiatives exploring the responsible use of space technologies and artificial intelligence, including a NASA-funded drought response system in Angola.

He is also actively engaged in discussions surrounding space exploration, the emerging lunar economy and Africa’s role in shaping the rules that will govern this increasingly important sector.

For Zolana João, Angola’s place in the space economy is about more than launching satellites. It depends on turning technology, expertise and international cooperation into practical solutions that improve lives and drive development across the continent.

On the multilateral stage, João has represented Africa at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), contributing to discussions on space governance and the establishment of the African Space Agency.

He is also involved in international negotiations concerning the allocation of radiofrequency spectrum, a strategic resource for satellite communications, as part of preparations for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.

His journey is equally a story of social mobility and opportunity. Having risen from a childhood marked by poverty to lead Angola’s national space programme, João advocates scientific and technological education as a powerful driver of transformation.

Under his leadership, Angola has trained a new generation of space engineers, some of whom have been recognised among Africa’s top 10 space professionals under the age of 30.

He is also a speaker at leading academic institutions, including MIT and the International Space University, and has authored research on space strategy and satellite applications.

João holds a PhD in Engineering from George Washington University in the United States, as well as master’s degrees in Telecommunications Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa and Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from ESIEE Paris in France.

His achievements have earned international recognition. In 2022, following the launch of ANGOSAT-2, he received the Space Without Borders Medal from Russia’s space agency, ROSCOSMOS.

One of his artificial intelligence projects was also selected by the UNESCO International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence as one of 20 global initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

That same year, João participated as an invited speaker at the US-Africa Leaders Summit hosted by the White House.

His overarching challenge is to translate Angola’s growing space capabilities into economic and social value: strengthening connectivity, improving natural resource management, supporting climate resilience and creating opportunities for African innovation in an increasingly strategic industry.

For João, Angola’s future in the space economy will not be measured by the number of satellites it launches, but by its ability to turn technology, knowledge and international partnerships into solutions that serve its people and advance development across Africa.