Key Insights from the 2025 Space Industry Outlook Webinar

Today, Space in Africa hosted the tenth edition of its webinar series, 2025 Industry Outlook: Implementation and Impact.” The session explored the remarkable progress made in Africa’s space sector in recent years, with 2024 standing out as another critical year for the continent’s expanding space ambitions. The discussion highlighted key industry trends, including government-led space programmes, the sustained growth of NewSpace companies, infrastructure development, increased financing, and advancements in R&D.  

Beyond tracking these milestones, the webinar explored a critical question: What tangible impact has this progress had on Africa’s socio-economic landscape? As space investments continue to rise, their real-world effects on the economy, environment, and—most importantly—people’s lives are the most significant measure of success.  

The panellists provided insights into how infrastructure projects, policy changes, and technological advancements are shaping vital sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, and connectivity, offering a strategic perspective on the future of Africa’s space industry.  

Webinar Speakers

The session featured leading voices in the African space industry, including:  

1. Dr Zolana Joao, General Manager, Angola Space Management Office
2. Jessi Ndaba, CEO, Astrofica Technologies
3. Prof Jean Pitot, Chief Engineer, Aerospace Systems Research Institute
4. Dr Dawie de Wet, CEO, Q-KON
5. Mustapha Iderawumi, Senior Analyst, Space in Africa (Moderator)

Check here to rewatch the webinar.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar

Africa’s Space Developments in 2024 and the Path Ahead

Dr Zolana João reflected on the key space developments in Africa during 2024, highlighting Angola’s leadership in satellite operations, Egypt’s advancements in satellite manufacturing, and the entry of new players like Djibouti into the launch sector. He referenced Space in Africa reports, which projected the African space economy to reach USD 22 billion by 2026 and categorised the industry into upstream, midstream, and downstream segments.

Dr João also highlighted the contributions of South Africa and Egypt, which have been foundational in the continent’s space sector. He referred to Egypt’s advancements, particularly its Space City, which spans 123 acres and includes an Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) facility capable of handling satellites up to 600 kilograms. 

In the midstream sector, Dr João highlighted Angola’s role as a leading country in Southern Africa. He mentioned the successful launch and operation of AngoSat-2, the only high-throughput satellite in the region. The satellite connected more than 400,000 people in Angola. He reiterated that satellite-based internet connectivity is essential for addressing Africa’s digital divide, with only 36% of the population connected.

He acknowledged Kenya’s startup ecosystem in the downstream sector, noting its steady growth over the past decade. While recognising South Africa’s ongoing presence in this area, he remarked that Kenya’s progress in innovation had been particularly notable. He stressed that space programmes must have tangible impacts on the population and stated that, in 2024, some countries had placed greater emphasis on ensuring the public felt the space industry’s benefits.

The Role of LEO Satellites in Africa’s Connectivity

Dr Dawie de Wet provided insights into the impact of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity on the African telecommunications sector. He examined the capacity of LEO satellites relative to other connectivity solutions, such as fibre-optic networks and geostationary satellites.

Furthermore, Dr de Wet explained that much of the current discussion revolves around LEO satellites, including Starlink, and provided context on their capacity. He stated that a typical LEO satellite can provide approximately one terabit per second capacity. Using simulations and calculations, he estimated that Africa could have between 40 and 100 terabits of capacity, requiring around 40 satellites to achieve full coverage. He compared this to the recently landed Google Equiano cable, which has a capacity of 144 terabits per second (18 terabytes). He noted that while the satellite industry is expanding, its overall contribution remains relatively small compared to existing infrastructure.  

Dr de Wet acknowledged concerns that LEO satellite providers may introduce complexities or disrupt existing telecommunications operators. However, he argued that these systems will contribute to the sector but will have a limited impact on the overall telecommunications landscape. He estimated that 40 terabits of satellite capacity could serve approximately four million users, which, while significant, would not be substantial enough to fundamentally alter mobile network operators’ revenue structures.  

In addition, Dr de Wet stated that regulatory adaptation is necessary, as satellite connectivity operates on a different architecture than fixed-line, fixed wireless, and mobile networks. He noted that regulators would need to assess how best to integrate satellite technology into the broader telecommunications framework. Despite this, he viewed satellite connectivity as a valuable tool for reaching areas that are challenging to serve with fibre, fixed wireless, or mobile networks. Dr de Wet concluded that satellite connectivity providers are addressing a specific need in the market without introducing significant complexities. He characterised their role as complementary, providing an additional option within the broader telecommunications infrastructure.

Unlocking the Potential of Earth Observation Data

Jessi Ndaba discussed Africa’s untapped opportunities in Earth observation (EO), particularly in finance, urban planning, and security. She argued that while Africa can access valuable space-based data, adoption remains limited due to a lack of awareness, infrastructure, and collaboration.

She identified several key actions to accelerate EO adoption:

• Strengthening collaboration between governments, private sector players, and research institutions.
• Involving end-users in decision-making processes to ensure that space applications address real-world challenges.
• Leveraging partnerships with statistical agencies to integrate EO data into national economic and social planning.

Using the example of past floods in Durban, Ndaba emphasised that EO data could enhance disaster preparedness. She explained that using EO tools to monitor weather patterns could have saved lives and minimised financial losses. She also cited an initiative in Cape Town that used EO to map invasive alien plants, addressing their impact on water shortages.

The Feasibility of an African-Developed Orbital Launch Vehicle

Prof Jean Pitot discussed the prospects for an African-developed orbital launch vehicle, focusing on the challenges and policy frameworks required to support such an endeavour. He noted that launch capabilities take decades to develop and that South Africa’s Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) has been working on launch vehicle technology for 15 years.

He noted that:

• The earliest possible test flight for ASRI’s CLV microsatellite launch vehicle is projected for 2029.
• 85% to 90% of the vehicle’s mass content could be produced in South Africa, leveraging local expertise.
• Regulatory gaps remain a significant challenge, particularly in licensing and oversight of launch vehicles and service providers.

Prof Pitot emphasised that while Africa possesses the technical expertise to develop an indigenous launch vehicle, sustained government support and better regulatory alignment are necessary to make this vision a reality.

Shifting Geopolitical Dynamics and Their Impact on Africa’s Space Industry

Dr Zolana João analysed the geopolitical trends affecting Africa’s space industry. He highlighted reductions in external financial support due to shifting global priorities and stressed the need for Africa to become more self-reliant and coordinated in space development.

He noted some critical insights regarding space programmes in Africa:

• The total budget for African space programmes in 2024 was 20% lower than in 2023, yet more was achieved, proving that funding alone is not the primary challenge.
• Transparency remains a significant issue, with many initiatives lacking clear accountability and measurable outcomes.
• He cited instances where governments announced satellite deployments for technology demonstration purposes while the actual Earth observation data needed was already free from sources like Landsat and Sentinel programmes. He suggested that rather than focusing on new satellite deployments with redundant capabilities, countries should invest in capacity building through regional facilities such as Egypt’s satellite assembly and testing centre, which could serve as a training hub for experts across the continent.  

Dr João also stressed that Africa should focus on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for satellite data processing, as the continent has a limited number of highly trained space professionals. He provided an example from Angola, where his team used satellite data to improve tax collection, identifying millions of previously unregistered properties, which in turn increased government revenue and demonstrated the economic value of space investments.

Dr João concluded by stating that one of the most significant gaps in Africa’s space sector is the lack of focus on the end user. He observed that most discussions revolve around infrastructure, services, and technology, while little attention is given to how users interact with these solutions. Dr João noted that in many cases, users do not see value in satellite-based services because they are not designed with local needs in mind. He stressed that future efforts should prioritise making space-based applications relevant and accessible to African users rather than applying foreign models that do not fit the local context.

Evolving Regulatory Approaches for Satellite Networks

Dr de Wet highlighted a shift in how networks are built and regulated. He explained that while mobile networks required significant in-country infrastructure investment, satellite networks are established in space, leaving regulators to focus on regulating ground-based user devices rather than network operators. Dr de Wet stated that this required regulators to adapt their approach, as the investment had already been made in space, and local regulatory frameworks needed to balance the roles of regional players and global operators.

He acknowledged that an imbalance exists, with some operators entering markets primarily to provide services and extract revenue without leaving a significant local footprint. However, he also argued that applying regulations designed for fixed infrastructure to satellite networks would not be appropriate. He referenced the South African market, where the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) had initiated a process to assess the satellite industry more comprehensively. This process involved examining regulatory guidelines, operators, and user perspectives.

Dr de Wet concluded that while LEO technology addresses critical needs, it remains a relatively small part of the broader connectivity landscape. Even if satellite services reached 10 million users in Africa, they would still represent only a minor portion of the overall market. He reiterated that regulatory adjustments were necessary to accommodate the growing role of satellite services and ensure a balanced industry structure.

Conclusion

In his closing remarks, Dr Zolana João emphasised the importance of leveraging Africa’s existing resources while being strategic about new initiatives. He announced that the African Space Agency will be inaugurated on April 20, marking a significant step toward continental coordination of efforts and resources to prevent duplication—a key challenge in Africa’s space sector.

Furthermore, Dr João highlighted the need for efficient service delivery and data utilisation, including data from African and foreign satellites. Given Africa’s young population, he stressed that job creation and training opportunities are critical and warned that failure to generate employment could lead to instability and stunted growth. He urged the space industry to take this responsibility seriously.

The 2025 Industry Outlook webinar highlighted Africa’s rapid progress in space technology and its increasing importance in addressing socio-economic challenges. The discussions underscored the need for regional collaboration, user-focused applications, and sustainable policy frameworks to ensure the long-term growth of Africa’s space sector. While challenges remain—particularly in funding, regulation, and adoption—Africa’s space industry is on a clear trajectory towards greater self-sufficiency and impactful innovation.