Italy’s Growing Influence in Africa’s Space Sector

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Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani and Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, together with African Ministers from Congo, Ghana, Mozambique, Somalia and other African nations during the Italy-Africa Space Conference. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Through the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and several other MDAs, the Italian government is actively expanding its space footprint and increasing its focus on space activities and applications across Africa. Italy’s space interests on the continent are historically centred in Kenya, primarily because of the Luigi Broglio Space Center (BSC) in Malindi. However, in recent years, Italy has acknowledged the strategic significance of engaging with broader space developments throughout Africa.

Capacity Building Efforts

This shift in focus has led to several key initiatives. In February 2018, ASI co-organised the International Space Forum – African Chapter – in Nairobi in collaboration with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Kenya Space Agency. The event marked a significant step in fostering international dialogue on Africa’s space ambitions. Ministers, Ambassadors, Governmental Authorities and Heads of Space Agencies from 29 African countries participated. 

IAF invited representatives from 31 African countries and numerous international organisations and space agencies to the International Space Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, on 13 February 2018. Source: DLR

Additionally, ASI launched the first Space Training Course for African students, titled “Earth Observation and Remote Sensing, Space Science, Law, and Policy,” which attracted 18 participants from 10 African nations.

In 2023, a major milestone was reached with the International Centre for Space Education inaugurated at the BSC in Malindi, presided over by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. This centre was envisioned as a hub for training and educating future generations of space professionals across Africa. It highlights Italy’s operational capabilities in Africa—such as tracking and data reception—and underscores its commitment to capacity-building initiatives. Education and training are, in fact, among the most effective tools to support sustainable development on the continent.

Infrastructure Development

ASI is constructing the Regional Earth Observation Centre as part of ongoing intergovernmental cooperation with Kenya. This facility, which will have one node in Malindi at the BSC and another in Nairobi, will provide critical Earth observation data. It will grant access to data from Italy’s COSMO-SkyMed constellation and the PRISMA mission. Scientists and researchers will use it to develop applications for monitoring natural resources, droughts, floods, landslides, and urban growth. The centre will also host a CubeSat Laboratory, further contributing to the region’s advancement of space science and technology.

Additionally, Italy’s Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, revealed that the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi, Kenya, will resume its role in launching Earth Observation satellites in a few years. This will significantly boost Kenya and Africa’s launch capabilities since customers have solely conducted launches outside the continent. In further developing space infrastructure, the Luigi Broglio Space Museum was inaugurated in October, adding to its footprint of space infrastructure development in Africa.

Through these efforts, Italy is cementing its role in Africa’s space development, supporting operational needs and educational and technological growth, paving the way for a sustainable future. Considering the goals of the Mattei Plan, space technologies can contribute significantly to its effective implementation through satellite services and related training, the ability to make and manage space objects, and the opportunity to access space.

International Collaboration

Italy recently held and inaugurated the Italy-Africa Space Conference on July 15-16 earlier this year. The event aimed to build bilateral and multilateral dialogue with African countries having space capabilities. Consequently, this would be a great opportunity to foster new cooperation areas under the Mattei Plan’s broader framework. Additionally, the discussions focused on three fundamental pillars: education and training, space applications and services for a sustainable future and international partnerships.

Italy is also ramping up its bilateral cooperation with several African nations, focusing on different thematic areas. For instance, in April 2024, Italy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Egypt. The primary objective of the MoU was to strengthen the collaboration between Italy and Egypt in the space sector. This will encourage long-term investments and partnerships. The ASI and the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) collaboration will facilitate investments in the space sector by the industries involved in this domain. Furthermore, this highlights Italy’s intention to intensify cooperation in space sciences and technologies and promote collaboration between African countries.

(From L-R) Italian Space Agency (ASI) is represented by President Teodoro Valente, the Minister of Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Ursi and the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) CEO Sherif Mohamed Sedky. Source: Italpress

Similarly, Italy and Algeria signed an MoU in early 2023 to enhance space cooperation. The agreement aimed to create a collaboration framework encompassing space exploration initiatives, Earth observation activities, space technology development, and training programmes. Italy’s embassy in South Africa also collaborated with the University of Johannesburg to advance scientific research and technological cooperation. The Italian Ambassador to South Africa highlighted two major collaborative initiatives, one with the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project set for construction in South Africa. Italy is one of the key international partners, contributing USD 120 million over a decade. Bologna’s International Foundation Big Data and Artificial Intelligence and South Africa’s National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure Initiative established the second initiative focusing on Artificial Intelligence.

The European Space Agency’s Centre for Earth Observation in Italy hosted delegates from the Rwanda Space Agency in early 2023. This facilitated discussions on sustainable efforts towards advancing the EO sector to ensure the growth of space technologies for socioeconomic tools in Rwanda. In addition, Italy’s ambassador to Nigeria is in talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation to collaborate on space technology to drive socio-economic developments in the country.

Growing the Commercial NewSpace Ecosystem

At the recently concluded 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), 12 SMEs and startups from various African countries had the opportunity to participate in this important event, supported by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and ICE Agency. Their participation allowed them to gain full visibility into cutting-edge developments across all space domains. In addition, ASI, in collaboration with the Ministry of University and Research, launched the “Support in Identifying Outstanding Talents and Enterprises for the 75th IAC.”This programme supported 14 young professionals and students- nine women and five men—from 11 African countries: Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda. This demonstrates the Italian Government’s commitment to the Mattei Plan for Africa, aiming to enhance inclusivity and diversity in the space sector while specifically promoting African youth talent.

Some of the fellowship awardees of the “Support in Identifying Outstanding Talents and Enterprises for the 75th IAC” initiative by the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of University and Research. Source: Italian Space Agency.

These various initiatives underscore Italy’s commitment to developing local space capabilities in Africa through knowledge exchange, technological innovation and fostering sustainable partnerships.