Building Africa’s Space Future: An Engineer’s Journey Through Egypt’s Satellite Training Programme

Between January 13 and 23, the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) hosted a training programme under the African Development Satellite Initiative (AfDev-Sat). This initiative brought together 21 engineers and specialists from 20 African nations, marking a significant milestone in strengthening indigenous satellite development capabilities across the continent.

Titled “Basic Space Technology and Satellite Systems Workshop,” the programme was financially supported by the Italian government. It aimed to equip participants with foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in satellite technology, addressing critical gaps in Africa’s space sector.

Participating Nations and Programme Objectives  

The participating countries included Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The initiative sought to empower these nations by building technical expertise and fostering regional collaboration in space technology.

Insights from a Participant: Kola Egbeyemi  

Space in Africa spoke with Kola Egbeyemi, one of the engineers who participated in the programme, to gain firsthand insights into the training, its impact and the future of African space technology.

Your path to the space industry is quite interesting. Can you tell us about how it all began?

My journey started during my National Youth Service Corps year when I worked as a VSAT engineer for an Internet service provider. That role gave me my first hands-on experience with satellites during installations, which was truly eye-opening. With my background in Electrical Electronics Engineering and a master’s in Telecommunications, I spent a decade working with mobile network operators in Nigeria before joining a UK-based satellite service provider. There, I worked with a fleet of four Geostationary satellites covering Africa and other regions.

How did you learn about the AfDev-Sat training program, and what drew you to apply?

I discovered the opportunity through Space in Africa’s website. The program immediately caught my attention because it offered hands-on experience with satellite technology. The application process was straightforward – an online form submission before the deadline. Being selected alongside 20 other engineers from 18 African countries was incredibly exciting. What made the experience even more enriching was the diversity of our cohort, which included participants from French-speaking countries and had a strong representation of women in space.

The training programme seems quite comprehensive. Could you walk us through what it entailed?

 The nine-day program was intensive and hands-on. We began with facility tours of EgSA’s infrastructure, including their Mission Control Center, Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) Centre, and the Orbit Simulation Lab. A highlight was visiting the Ground Earth Station, where EgSA receives data and images from operational satellites like NExSat-1 and MisrSat-2.

The curriculum covered advanced topics, including hyperspectral imaging, orbital mechanics, and optical payload systems. But what set this program apart were the practical sessions. We worked with STK software for satellite subsystem simulation and assembled prototype CubeSats. Having facilitators from the Italian Space Agency added an international perspective that enriched our learning experience.

How do you see the collaboration between EgSA and the African Space Agency shaping the continent’s future in space?

This initiative is transformative for Africa’s space ecosystem. The upcoming launch of their new building during the NewSpace in Africa conference demonstrates the serious commitment from Prof. Sherif Sedky, EgSA’s CEO, and H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council. 

What’s particularly exciting is how this collaboration will give African member states access to world-class facilities. This kind of resource sharing is crucial for developing indigenous space capabilities across the continent.

Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Africa’s role in the global space industry?

We’re at a critical moment. The growing interest in LEO constellations and the integration of space technology with telecommunications infrastructure creates unprecedented opportunities. This program shows that Africa isn’t just participating in the global space industry – we’re actively building capacity to lead in certain areas.

The support from organisations like EgSA, EAPD, Space in Africa, and the African Space Agency (AfSA) is creating a foundation for sustainable growth. I see Africa becoming a significant player in the space sector, with programs like AfDev-Sat serving as stepping stones toward that goal.

This training programme represents more than just technical education – it symbolises Africa’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space technology. With continued collaboration and investment in human capital, the continent is positioning itself to make meaningful contributions to global space exploration and satellite technology development.

How do you think this training will impact the representation of women in Africa’s space sector?  

The strong representation of women in this training was encouraging. Initiatives like AfDev-Sat can inspire more women to pursue careers in STEM fields by providing equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive environment. This will not only address gender disparities but also bring diverse perspectives to the table, driving innovation in the space sector.  

What role do international partnerships, such as the Italian Space Agency’s involvement, play in Africa’s space development?  

International partnerships are crucial for knowledge transfer and resource sharing. The involvement of the Italian Space Agency brought expertise and advanced tools to the training, enhancing its quality. Such collaborations can accelerate Africa’s space development by providing access to global best practices and technologies.  

What kind of model can we implement across African countries that can spark young talents’ interest and improve their participation in the space industry?

For the active space practitioners, we first need to create awareness at every level, including and, more importantly, at the grassroots level. Often, you realise that young people are oblivious that the space ecosystem is much bigger than the upstream sector. In addition, others do not believe that job opportunities exist in the industry. They need to be made aware of the illimitable opportunities across the ecosystem. So proper awareness and further sensitisation are required to reorientate them. However, a more critical look at the issue revealed that such sensitisation needs to start from the ground up, starting with the elementary level. Young students often shy away from STEM courses, and it’s easier to reorient them at that age. 

It is also essential to explain the broad spectrum of job opportunities and encourage them to take up courses that will enable them to become certified engineers, technicians, meteorologists and geologists, focusing on the upstream segments and becoming computer scientists, data analysts, data engineers, and developers (software and apps), lawyers, technical writer, project managers, etc., focusing on the downstream segment. 

I advise young Africans aspiring to enter the space industry to stay curious and proactive. Seek opportunities for learning and networking, such as internships, online courses, and industry events. The space sector is evolving rapidly, and there’s a growing demand for skilled professionals.