Africa boosting space technology to help farming, economy, environment

Issued on: 28/04/2023 – 12:22

second edition of NewSpace Africa Gathered three times more participants than the first conference in 2022 in Kenya. The event is organized by the African Union Commission and space in africa,

with some 50 satellites built by 13 African states and a field value At around $20 million in 2021, Africa’s space industry continues to grow.

African states are increasingly recognizing the importance of space exploration and technology. The African Space Policy and Strategy, initiated by the African Union, is a framework to guide Africa’s space sector by providing a coordinated approach.

newly formed african space agency (AfSA), headquartered in Cairo, intends to be the platform for space research on the continent as well as the focal point of Africa’s cooperation with Europe and other non-African partners.

“The African Space Agency will facilitate the advancement of technology in all member states,” said Dr Tidiane OuattaraAfrican Union Commission Space Science Specialist, GMES and Africa Program Coordinator.

“It aims to bring together countries with less advanced space programs.”

Gabon’s Space Experience

Gabon launched space program In response to the challenges of climate change in 2015. 88 percent of the country is covered by forests, according to the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations (GASO).Age) proved essential in the collection of data on its forests, biodiversity and carbon emissions.

“Before we invested in our space agency, we spent millions of CFA francs on a large staff stationed on the ground for seven months to monitor the forest,” AGEOD’s deputy director Abukar Mbimba Ndzonggui told RFI binetta diagne,

“With our satellite, we have fewer people on the ground and send them to areas where we don’t have enough data. So, we managed to save time and money.”

Gabon’s satellite covers the entire Gulf of Guinea as well as 24 countries in Central and West Africa.

“Satellite data and images are of great help in identifying areas prone to floods, thus preventing natural disasters.

“We also monitor Lake Chad. In the Gulf of Guinea, we monitor illegal fishing, piracy, hydrocarbon pollution. AGEOS then provides detailed information to relevant parties.”

The African Union Commission is currently implementing the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program in partnership with over 150 institutions.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s newly built space city will be fully operational in June 2023.

Dr. Sherif Sedki, CEO of Egyptian Space AgencySaid that the satellite assembly, integration and testing facility would be open to other African countries for specified testing.