17th African Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition 2026 Pretoria, 25-26 May 2026

Trade, Industry and Competition Department:
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
the dtic
17TH AFRICAN REGIONAL ROUND OF THE MANFRED LACHS SPACE LAW MOOT COURT
COMPETITION 2026 Pretoria, 25-26 May 2026

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

South Africa, through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and in partnership with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), hosted the 17th Africa Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition at Casa Toscana Convention Centre, Pretoria, from 25–26 May 2026.

Held under the theme “Empowering Africa’s Future in Space Governance for Sustainable Space Activities”, the competition convened ten universities from five African states to argue the 2026 problem: Case Concerning Liability and Responsibility for Space Activities of Non-Governmental Corporate Actors (INKANTO v ACCADIA).

The awards ceremony took place on the evening of 26 May, where winners were formally announced. The ceremony dinner was sponsored by the competition’s industry partners Dragonfly Aerospace, Newcraft Aerospace, Newspace Systems and Petrawell.

Kenya’s Strathmore University was crowned overall winner and will represent Africa at the World Finals during the International Astronautical Congress in Türkiye later this year. The University of Pretoria was named first runner-up.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT
Nomfuneko Majaja, Chief Director: Space Affairs at the dtic and Africa Regional Coordinator, noted that the initiative reflects the continent’s determination to position itself at the centre of shaping global space governance.

The event forms part of South Africa’s broader mandate, executed through the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA), to build legal, policy and regulatory capacity for sustainable participation in the global space economy and SANSA delivers technical implementation.

The regional round aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area objectives by fostering regional
collaboration amongst countries in the Continent including Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The programme builds a pipeline of African international lawyers equipped to draft, interpret and negotiate space governance instruments.

PARTICIPATION
Ten institutions progressed to the regional finals, drawn from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe:

Cavendish University, Uganda
Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe
Kabarak University, Kenya
Kampala International University, Uganda
Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
Strathmore Law School, Kenya
University of Calabar, Nigeria
University of Fort Hare, South Africa
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
University of Pretoria, South Africa

ADJUDICATION
An international panel presided over memorial and oral rounds, drawn from several African jurisdictions including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Canada.

Memorial Judges

Hon. Justice Daniel Kiio Musinga, President, Court of Appeal, Kenya
Adv. Icho Kealotswe Matlou, South Africa
Adv. Luthando Mkumatela, South Africa
Prof. Precious Sihlangu, South Africa
Prof. Andrea Harrington, Canada
Dr Maria Ria Nonyana-Mokabane, South Africa
Dr Arnold Agaba, Uganda
Ms Nompumelelo Nzimande, South Africa
Ms Joan Chesoni, Kenya
Mr Michael Kabai, South Africa

Oral Semi-Finals Bench

Adv. Icho Kealotswe Matlou
Dr Arnold Agaba
Ms Joan Chesoni
Mr Michael Kabai

Final Round Bench

Hon. Justice Daniel Musinga (Presiding)
Prof. Andrea Harrington
Dr Maria Ria Nonyana-Mokabane

RESULTS AND AWARDS CEREMONY

The competition examined complex issues of state responsibility, liability for space activities and peaceful uses of outer space through the fictional dispute Inkaton v Accadia. Students demonstrated rigour, imagination and command of jurisprudence. It concluded on Tuesday 26 May at Casa Toscana following two days of intense simulated proceedings.

The formal awards ceremony was held on 26 May 2026, immediately following the final round. Presiding over the final round, Hon. Justice Daniel Kiio Musinga praised the standard of advocacy. In his address he noted that he had sat in courts for nearly 23 years and was impressed by the knowledge and skills displayed by counsel. He stated that the future of African international lawyering is present and that the work of this generation is to convert Africa’s seat at the table from courtesy into authorship. “I am persuaded that the future of African international lawyering is in very good hands. It is not elsewhere, it is right in this room. For most of its history, that architecture has been built by hands other than ours. The work of this generation is to convert our seats at the table from courtesy into authorship. You do not represent only your institutions tonight, you represent five African nations, and through them a continent.”

The awards ceremony dinner was hosted with the generous support of the competition’s industry sponsors, Dragonfly Aerospace, Newcraft Aerospace, Newspace Systems and Petrawell, whose contribution underpinned the hospitality and networking platform for participants.

The winners:

Winner – Strathmore University, Kenya Team: Megan Wanjiru Njuguna, Nigel Akilimali Chipinde & Michelle Akinyi Kombo

First Runner-Up – University of Pretoria, South Africa Team: Aphelele Maphumulo, Rachel Erasmus & Noah Janari

Joint Second Runner-Up – Kabarak University, Kenya Team: Austin Odhiambo Okinyi, Abigael Machoka Tabrandy & Emmanuel Mwatsuma Kalama

Joint Second Runner-Up – Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe Team: Thilivhali Vanessa Msipa, Christopher Dembure & Makanaka Mary Nyabvure

Best Memorial – Kabarak University, Kenya

Best Oralist -Augustine Mudzodza, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

Strathmore University will proceed to the World Finals in Türkiye, where the final round is traditionally judged by members of the International Court of Justice.

CONCLUSION

The 17th African Regional Round achieved its objectives of capacity building, regional integration and promotion of space law expertise. The performance of African students confirms a growing base of skilled practitioners ready to contribute to global space governance.

Participating students further engage policymakers at the African Space Policy and Law Conference, hosted by the University of Pretoria and McGill University in partnership with the dtic, DIRCO and SANSA, on 28–29 May 2026 at DIRCO.

Prepare by: Space Affairs Chief Directorate