Webinar: Satellite Manufacturing in Africa for Global Markets
A report by the 27th Annual Space Economy Snapshot by the Satellite Industry Association presents that satellite manufacturing revenue for 2023 jumped 9% to USD 17.2 billion, driven by more flexible software-defined payloads, increasingly capable small satellites and scalable production processes, with the manufacture of about 85% of the commercially procured satellites launched in 2023 attributed to companies based in the US. However, while the rest of the world is making significant progress in its satellite manufacturing industries, Africa continues to struggle. Due to various economic and business development factors, many satellite manufacturing companies in Africa are going out of business, while many others wait longer than their proposed dates to develop and launch their first commercial space product. For companies whose business model hinged heavily on executing government space projects, many have not been able to build on their clientele or progress to getting commercial clients, ultimately leading to their businesses shutting down.
Evidently, the African satellite manufacturing landscape differs slightly from the global scene. While component manufacturers and satellite aggregators are prevalent in the region, only a handful of companies are the only companies focusing on developing propulsion systems and launch technologies. Nonetheless, opportunities for growth in the global market are vast and notable regional component manufacturers, including NewSpace Systems, Simera Sense, CubeSpace, Dragonfly Aerospace, Cubecom, and SayariLabs, primarily design, manufacture and test high-reliability satellite components to meet the demand for satellite systems in Africa and around the world. Like many other African businesses expanding into foreign markets and undergoing growth, satellite component manufacturers in the African space ecosystem take advantage of opportunities to expand into Asia, Europe and the US and improve their services to meet constantly evolving needs in various regional markets.
This webinar will focus on how certain African satellite manufacturing companies have been able to scale the challenges peculiar to African companies operating in Africa and expand to foreign markets, how they are navigating the global market to exploit growth opportunities, barriers to entry and the challenges of diversifying customer bases, supply chain management, and how successful satellite manufacturers in Africa have been able to strike a balance between dependence on governments for revenue and simultaneously strengthening public-private partnerships to meet the demand for satellite components.
Objectives
The webinar aims to gain insights into proven strategies by African satellite manufacturing companies that have revolutionised their business models to cater to foreign customer bases and are taking advantage of the small satellite revolution. As more African NewSpace companies seek to reach newer business frontiers and test international markets like Europe and the US, the complexities of navigating a new market are undeniable.
- Benefits and challenges of expanding African NewSpace businesses to foreign markets: Breaking into the global satellite manufacturing markets has proven beneficial for brand reputation, revenue diversification, and risk mitigation. Yet, it is not devoid of challenges, such as existing competition and supply chain management. This webinar will show how some African NewSpace companies in foreign markets navigate these upticks and downsides.
- Steps to ensure a successful journey: Many innovative African companies build their operations to prepare to take their business global. Seasoned experts in the African NewSpace ecosystem will share insights and strategies that have helped them successfully build and manage international clientele.
- SWOT Analysis: Exploring the opportunities and challenges in the global marketplace and strategies for thriving. While the potential for growth on the international stage is vast, successful expansion demands meticulous planning and strategic execution.
- Advancing in the African market: While many companies may be thriving on the global stage, maintaining market share in their home country or continent continues to prove difficult for African satellite manufacturers. African governments are taking businesses off the continent. At the webinar, experts will discuss procurement processes, relationship management, and the necessary factors to enable satellite manufacturers to grow in Africa.
Speakers
- Ana-Mia Louw, Chief Operating Officer, Simera Sense
- James Barrington-Brown, Group Chairman, NewSpace Systems
- Oliver Muoto, Principal, 615VC
- Mike-Alec Kearney, CEO, CubeSpace Satellite Systems
Moderator: Mustapha Iderawumi, Senior Analyst, Space in Africa
Date and Time
- Date: Thursday, 12th September 2024
- Time: 12:00 PM GMT
Important Information
Date and Time—The event will be held on September 12, 2024, at 12 p.m. GMT via Zoom.
Registration Link – Registration is open to all interested individuals. To register, please click here.
To learn more about the webinar, please click here.
About Space in Africa
Space in Africa is the leading analytics and consulting company in the space sector, serving both the institutional and commercial markets with a particular focus on Africa. Our experience builds on a long track of past projects executed for international organisations, national governments, and commercial players, with high stakes in the space business — our practice cuts across all African countries. Space in Africa’s proprietary, research-based business and market analysis predict critical outcomes in what happens next in the industry and the opportunities available. Our data-driven analysis, free of vested interests and pre-conceptions, is helping to shape the ecosystem by making available accurate information critical for the change.