AfAS 2026 celebrates the scientists, researchers, educators, and students driving Africa’s scientific excellence

By Lydia Makina

Brilliant minds from across the continent and beyond will gather at Worldview Resort, Kasane, Botswana to advance astronomy, foster collaboration, and explore new frontiers in scientific innovation.

Hosted by the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), the conference highlights Africa’s growing role in global astronomy and strengthens international research partnerships shaping the future of science.

The 22nd -27th March 2026 – 6th Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society under the theme ” Under One Sky: Charting Africa’s Future through Astronomy- Innovation, investment & impact from Botswana Skies”.

The African Astronomical Society Conference is meeting in Kasane, Botswana.

The African Astronomical Society is a group or an organization created to make sure it brings together all astronomers, amateur astronomers, enthusiasts and those in the media from different areas of astronomy and astrophysics to discuss community science interests and outreach, government involvement in what we are doing, hiring institutions.
The African Astronomical Society is an annual platform on which to showcase the works done from science to outreach programmes sharing best practices and ideas.

In a nutshell, African Astronomical Society is the best way to practice shared outreach programmes on science through dissemination works and share ideas on how to confront the field of astronomy and astrophysics in the future.

Principal Investigator of PAP2SN project and Zambian Team Leader at the Conference, Dr Saul Paul Phiri is delighted that Zambia has participated in all African Astronomical Society conferences since inception in 2019.

In an interview with this author on the sidelines of the 6th Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society, Dr. Phiri described the gathering as a remarkable conference on account of more than 20 Zambians showcasing their works in outreach and in science.

From participation statistics, Dr. Phiri says Zambia is in a favourable position to harness astronomy exploits and benefits as her delegates continue to spread expertise and shared experiences in all scheduled main and side meetings.

“We are above 25 delegates that have come from Zambia,” though locally outreach performance has not been impressive. The Zambian Astronomical Society is only known in secondary schools and selected public events, which ordinary folk may not be privy to,” worried Dr. Phiri.
On this score, the Zambian Astronomical Society to planning to spread its tentacles countrywide in all the 116 districts of the ten (10) provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula , Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern and Western.
“We need to begin to do more and showcase space science and astronomy as alive and gaining momentum. Two, three, four, five years ago, we didn’t have many astronomers or space scientists in the country. We could just see point one or two, but this time we are boasting of more than 15 to 18 astronomers or space scientists with masters and now pursuing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or some are holding PhDs in this field, a great development, if we are going to attain what the Ministry of Technology and Science is envisioning of sending a satellite up in space in the not too distant future,” noted an optimistic Dr. Phiri.

Dr. Phiri believes that the future is bright on account of an increasing number of students passionately learning science in Zambia and gaining from shared experiences at the ongoing 6th Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society.

Alluding to programmes in space science and astronomy developed by the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus, Dr. Phiri says expert collaboration gained will bring to life approved local training programmes and birth home grown space scientists.

The Zambian team is drawn from Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, Southern, and North-Western provinces with only Muchinga and Western missing.

6th Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society has commenced, bringing together scientists, researchers, and industry stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the future of astronomy in Africa.
The opening day featured a formal ceremony alongside a series of keynote presentations and technical discussions aimed at advancing collaboration and innovation within the field. Participants engaged in exchanges on emerging research, capacity building, and opportunities to strengthen Africa’s presence in global astronomy.

The conference serves as a platform for African experts to share knowledge, foster partnerships, and explore new ideas that can drive scientific development and technological advancement across the continent.

Organizers noted that the event is expected to continue with further sessions and engagements, as stakeholders work toward shaping a stronger and more coordinated astronomy ecosystem in Africa.