The stage is set for the third edition of Africa’s most prominent space event, the 2024 NewSpace Africa Conference, a high-level gathering of African and foreign industry leaders, commercial space companies, investors, and other critical space and satellite industry stakeholders. Over 500 delegates from 46 countries across four continents will converge at the Talatona Convention Centre in Luanda, Angola, to provide updates on all industry sectors, emphasising new business opportunities, technological advancements, investment opportunities and other critical development areas across the industry value chain.

Space in Africa, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the Angola National Space Programme Management Office, under the auspices of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTIC), will host the four-day high-level conference from 2-5 April 2024. This conference will enable delegates to explore how cooperation frameworks between stakeholders can potentially impact the industry and the continent’s common goals.

The conference, themed “The Role of Space in Closing Africa’s Poverty Gap,” will provide a forum for exploring innovative space solutions to address social inequalities across the continent. By leveraging space-based technologies, the conference will examine how these solutions can drive development strategies and contribute to closing Africa’s poverty gap. Moreover, the event will delve into advancements within diverse aspects of the African space and satellite industry, encompassing remote sensing tools, geospatial data applications, satellite communications, navigation systems, and other emerging space applications. These advancements are poised to enhance agriculture, security and defence, communication, climate resilience, and healthcare sectors, ultimately encouraging infrastructural development.

The conference has drawn an impressive attendance from 257 organisations, including African and foreign government officials, ministry representatives, heads of national space agencies and NewSpace companies, policymakers, investment firms and students. Furthermore, the 2024 NewSpace African Conference will host several dignitaries, including Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies, and Social Communication (MINTTICS), Angola; Professor Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) of the African Union; Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council; Dr Zolana João, General Manager, Angola’s National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN) and Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce. In addition, heads of space agencies from Angola, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe will be on the ground to provide updates on their respective nation’s space activities.

The gathering will provide a platform for these experts to share their expertise and experiences, engage in dialogue, explore the latest developments, assess the sector’s opportunities and challenges, and identify opportunities for collaboration to drive innovation across Africa. Also, the delegates will be featured in diverse programmes throughout the four days, including four keynote addresses, 19 panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions, B2B matchmaking, B2C matchmaking, exhibitions, side events, agreement signing and unique networking opportunities.

Furthermore, the conference will be a hub for fostering and nurturing connections among diverse African space and satellite industry stakeholders. It will provide leaders from government, academia, the commercial sector, and investors with opportunities to forge new business alliances and partnerships to propel the industry forward. Participating organisations will also be able to demonstrate their expertise and track record to a broad spectrum of attendees spanning various segments of the global industry value chain.

On the sidelines of the conference, industry veterans, entrepreneurs, and young professionals will have the opportunity to showcase innovative solutions or business ideas related to the event’s theme. This platform aims to foster inclusive networking, encouraging professional development, business growth, and initiatives for socio-economic progress. These presentations will offer valuable opportunities for advancing the African space industry, whether by launching new initiatives, mentoring younger professionals, or sharing untapped business concepts. The conference welcomes diverse perspectives from interested stakeholders to contribute to its success.

The conference will also feature an exhibition showcasing the space industry’s latest technologies, products, and services. Attendees will be able to network with industry leaders and experts, explore potential business opportunities, and gain insights into the latest trends and innovations in the space industry.

The 2024 NewSpace Africa Conference aims to foster productive collaborations, enhance existing partnerships, and explore new markets while addressing challenges that could impede the growth of the African NewSpace ecosystem. The conference seeks to facilitate alliances between local and international stakeholders, offering unique exposure to emerging markets within the African space industry and highlighting the continent’s efforts to prioritise NewSpace initiatives. This third edition builds upon past conferences, emphasising the importance of nurturing partnerships and addressing gaps in the African NewSpace ecosystem.

Please check here for more information, including the speaker lineup, the conference agenda, and a list of all participating organisations. 

For more inquiries, kindly send an email to info@spaceinafrica.com.