Introduction
In the first part of this essay series, I laid out some fundamental details about the current state of space infrastructure in Africa and the need for a robust Africa Space Industrial Base. To build on this point, I will use France and the European Space Agency as a case study. Currently, France is exploring space independently and is also a member of the European Space Agency (ESA), which has 22 member states and a cooperative agreement with Canada, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Slovakia, Croatia and Malta. Despite all of the strides that the European Space Agency has made in space science and technology, France still leads the ESA in the space race and is the largest contributor to the ESA.
In Africa, I see a similar scenario playing out among Egypt, South Africa, and the African Space Agency. Egypt and South Africa both explore space independently, in addition to their participation in the African Space Agency, which has 54 African countries as members. In 2019, Egypt allocated $10 million to host, build, and operate the African Space Agency while also making significant progress in its own ambitions[1]. Specifically, Egypt sent satellites into orbit, partnered with China to build a satellite manufacturing center, and has other cool projects in the pipeline. Although Egypt contributes the most to the African Space Agency, it is also building its own Egyptian Space Agency, which constructed the Satellite City Industrialization and Assembly Center in collaboration with China.
South Africa is also making great strides in its space ambitions. For example, South Africa’s Cape Peninsula University of Technology launched its third satellite mission into space in early 2022. South Africa is also hosting the world’s largest radio telescope project, the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), in cooperation with Australia and seven African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Finally, due to its unique position in the southern hemisphere, South Africa has a long history of stargazing, which is one of the reasons it was selected for the Square Kilometer Array. By leveraging these unique benefits, Egypt and South Africa are growing the space economy in Africa and building the Africa Space Industrial Base.
The African Union’s African Space Policy and Strategy for Socio-economic Development
In January 2016, the African Heads of States and Governments adopted the Africa Space Policy and Strategy (ASPS) to facilitate the growth and development of space science and technology across the continent. The ASPS promised to initiate space capabilities in Earth Observation Systems, Navigation and Positioning, Satellite Communication, and Space Science and Exploration. To achieve these goals, the ASPS conducted a survey and gap analysis on satellite navigation, positioning infrastructure, and technologies in Africa, to understand the challenges, successes, and necessary steps moving forward. Their review takes into consideration Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, which defines Africa’s goals in the following sectors: transport, agriculture, survey and mapping, public safety and emergency services, LBS, science environment and weather, and emerging technologies.
The African Space Agency as a Building Block of a Robust Africa Space Industrial Base
Today’s space race requires Africa to better capitalize on the social and economic advantages that flow from space science and technology. Space investments by the African Space Agency can also increase industrial activity and improve productivity and cost-efficiency in other fields, such as weather forecasting, telemedicine, environmental monitoring, and agricultural previsions.
The African Space Agency can play a key role in the public sector by working towards economic growth, job creation, and the development of a more competitive African space industry, just like the European Space Agency did with its member states. The African Space Agency can also get involved in technological research from the start and see projects through to the final stage. To create value, the African Space Agency can shape and set the conditions for future market and technology opportunities that drive sustainable growth. By doing so, it can contribute to activities that turn space research into successful African innovation stories, encourage entrepreneurship, and provide a framework that drives start-ups and job creation.
Finally, the Agency can strengthen the growth of a sustainable African space ecosystem across the full spectrum of its activities, such as new commercial products and services (including “indirect industrial effects” from space industry contracts and new exports/activities outside the space sector), productivity/efficiency gains in diverse economic sectors (e.g. fisheries, airlines), regional and national economic growth, and cost avoidance (e.g. floods).
Admittedly, there are objections to this proposed expansion, due to the relatively high cost of space infrastructure. However, I am convinced that the benefits of space projects far outweigh the costs. Currently, Africa relies upon GPS and Galileo for its satellite needs, but this is not sustainable. To achieve our long-term goals, we need accurate navigation, precision timing, and resilience, which these two types of GNSS cannot provide. Further, it is dangerous for us to rely upon equipment from a nation like Russia, which threatened to blow up 32 GPS satellites in 2021[2]. For the sake of our own security, we need to become independent in this area.
To achieve this independence, we must develop an educated workforce that excels in every aspect of space, from engineering and design to IT and telecommunications. We also need apprentice programs that provide practical training for students in all aspects of the aerospace industry. Through these pursuits, we can develop a talented and dedicated workforce that is prepared for the amazing challenges and opportunities that space exploration will bring.
Thank you to Nancy, Indraji, and Victoria for reviewing drafts of this essay.
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Notes:
[1] https://africanews.space/egypt-to-launch-satellite-by-the-end-of-2021/
