Results of the Regional Coordinator Election in the African Region
SGAC held elections in December 2025 to elect the next Regional Coordinator (RC) in the African Region. We are happy to announce that Emebet Mehabaw Tegegne (Ethiopia) has been elected as the Regional Coordinator for Africa.
Detailed election results and the profile of the applicants follow:
Election Report
The election received two applications for one regional coordinator position.
20 NPoCs out of 53 took part in the election, with the following result:
- Emebet Mehabaw Tegegne (Ethiopia) – 68.8%
- Chioma Ezeigbo (Nigeria) – 31.3%.
- Abstained – 0%
About Emebet Mehabaw Tegegne:
Emebet Mehabaw is an aerospace engineer and space leader committed to expanding Africa’s role in the global space community. She served as the National Point of Contact of Ethiopia at the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), where she supports young professionals, students, and institutions in connecting with international space initiatives and opportunities. She is also an International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) Ambassador, actively promoting astronomy and astrophysics education and encouraging student participation worldwide. Emebet is currently contributing to several future lunar and Mars mission concepts, engaging in forward-looking projects focused on exploration beyond Earth. Her work blends technical involvement with strong advocacy for inclusion, capacity building, and collaboration among emerging space nations. Emebet’s leadership and impact have been internationally recognized.
She received the African Space Leaders Award in 2024 for her contributions to space development and youth empowerment across Africa. In 2025, she was honored with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Emerging Space Leaders Award, recognizing her growing influence within the global space sector. Driven by vision and purpose, Emebet continues to inspire the next generation while working to ensure Africa’s talent, voice, and leadership are firmly represented in the future of space. Emebet Mehabaw is an aerospace engineer and space leader committed to expanding Africa’s role in the global space community. She serves as the National Point of Contact of Ethiopia at the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), where she supports young professionals, students, and institutions in connecting with international space initiatives and opportunities. She is also an International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) Ambassador, actively promoting astronomy and astrophysics education and encouraging student participation worldwide.
Emebet is currently contributing to several future lunar and Mars mission concepts, engaging in forward-looking projects focused on exploration beyond Earth. Her work blends technical involvement with strong advocacy for inclusion, capacity building, and collaboration among emerging space nations. Emebet’s leadership and impact have been internationally recognized. She received the African Space Leaders Award in 2024 for her contributions to space development and youth empowerment across Africa. In 2025, she was honored with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Emerging Space Leaders Award, recognizing her growing influence within the global space sector. Driven by vision and purpose, Emebet continues to inspire the next generation while working to ensure Africa’s talent, voice, and leadership are firmly represented in the future of space.
This is what Emebet had to say about her election
“Being selected is an incredible honour and a powerful reminder of Africa’s potential. It drives me to work even harder to create opportunities, inspire the next generation, and ensure that Africa’s talent, ideas, and leadership are visible and shaping the future of space. “
