Could New Space be a part of the solution to emerging continental social and economic challenges?
COMESA Business Council Chief Executive Officer, Teddy Soobramanien, this morning delivered an impulse statement on how the African continent can explore and leverage satellite technologies to avert contemporary social-economic challenges at a New Space Breakfast exchange in Berlin, Germany.
“In Africa, the potential of satellite technologies in agriculture is enormous and holds promising opportunities for the continent’s food security, sustainability, and economic growth. Satellite technologies are a bedrock of decision making in weather forecasting and disaster management, market access and supply chain mengagement. What we need is harnessing public-private partnerships in the space sector and awareness creation in the continent about how we can unlock opportunities towards sustainable management of resources and informed decision making,’’ he remarked.
Characterized with intimate and interactive conversations, the New Space Breakfast brought together start-ups, private and public players in the New Space Sector who demonstrated the enormous potential of satellite technologies in contributing to addressing global challenges. Dirk Meyer, Head of Division Global Health, Economy, Trade and Rural Development, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development set the tone for the interactions through his opening statement.
’’The Sky is the Limit: Lets exploring more possibilities of Satellite Technologies in Africa’’. Did you know that;
- Satellite technologies provide real-time weather data, track weather patterns, and facilitate early warning systems for severe weather events like droughts, floods, and storms?
- With Satellite Technologies, Africa can enhance productivity, reduce vulnerability to climate change, improve livelihoods for farmers, and contribute to sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.
- Satellites can assist in improving market access and supply chain management for agricultural products.
New Space initiatives in Africa in perspective!
- According to the annual African Space Industry Report, the African space industry was valued at USD 19.49 billion in 2021. This number is expected to grow by 16.16% to USD 22.64 billion by 2026.
- The African space economy employs a workforce of over 19,000 people, with the government being the biggest employer having 11,000 staff members.
- Today, 53 satellites have been launched by 15 African countries (Algeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
- Kenya is the latest African country to launch a satellite. They launched Taifa 1 on April 14th, 2023
- Rwanda and Egypt have launched their own space agencies. The African Space Agency by the AU is in Egypt as well.
Forward looking; Exploring potential opportunities and collaborations in the New Space Sector. Kudos to our cooperating partner, Federation of Germany Industries for organisation a fantastic meeting and leading the New Space initiative.
