Dimane Mpoeleng holds a PhD in Computing Science from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Botswana. He is a senior academic and technology leader at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), where he has served in several strategic roles since 2015, including Acting Director of Technology Transfer and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Development and Innovation. In November 2021, Dr Mpoeleng was appointed Project Lead and Director of the BOTSAT Programme, Botswana’s national satellite initiative. Under his leadership, Botswana successfully designed, developed, and launched its first satellite, BOTSAT-1, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA, in March 2025 — a historic milestone that positioned Botswana among the few African nations to independently deploy a satellite mission. He continues to lead the operationalisation of the mission, including ground-station integration, data utilisation programmes, postgraduate capacity development, and the advancement of Botswana’s emerging national space programme. Dr Mpoeleng also serves as Chairperson of the Botswana Space Strategy Focus Group, leading multi-stakeholder efforts to develop the country’s national space strategy framework and coordinate institutional inputs from academia, government, and industry toward a sustainable national space capability. He plays a central role in shaping Botswana’s space science and digital innovation ecosystem, championing sovereign Earth-observation data, human capital development, and regional collaboration within SADC and international space partnerships. His work bridges academia, government policy, and industry, supporting national priorities aligned with Vision 2036 and national digital transformation initiatives. Dr Mpoeleng is widely recognised as a leading figure in advancing space science and technology development in Botswana, focusing on sustainable national capability, innovation ecosystems, and next-generation scientific talent development.
