The 2025 NewSpace Africa Conference began on its first day with policy and strategy discussions, including the signing of the AU-EU Gateway programme. Panel sessions examined the adoption and impact of space technologies across government agencies, commercial firms, and academic institutions.  

On the second day, the conference continued with high-level keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and panel discussions. Attendees also participated in B2B and B2C matchmaking opportunities and structured networking events.

Key Takeaways 

Status Updates on Space Activities in Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa

The second day began on a high note with Dr Ayman Ahmed, Senior Director of the Egyptian Space Agency, moderating a session where representatives from five African nations: Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa, provided updates on their space programmes.  

Dr Joseph Tandoh (Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute – GSSTI)  

Dr Tandoh confirmed that Ghana has finalised its National Space Policy and is collaborating with multiple ministries and agencies to implement it. He stated that while plans were in place to transition GSSTI into the Ghana Space Agency, the government opted to pause and reassess the process to ensure full stakeholder alignment, particularly given the cross-cutting implications for defence, civil governance, and legal frameworks. He emphasised Ghana’s openness to strategic international partnerships to strengthen its space capabilities.  

Dr Zolana Joao (Angolan Management Office for the National Space Programme – GGPEN)  

Dr Zolana detailed Angola’s progress with Angosat-2, highlighting its impact on national connectivity and revenue generation. He reported that over 250 VSAT terminals have been installed nationwide, with 80% of C-band and 30% of Ku/Ka-band capacity already commercialised, targeting 60% utilisation soon. Through the Connecta Angola Initiative, the satellite has provided connectivity to over 366,000 previously unserved citizens. 

GGPEN’s AI-based satellite mapping solution expanded property tax coverage from 450,000 to over 11 million properties, significantly boosting government revenue. He also noted capacity-building efforts, including 8,750 trained stakeholders and 40% of GGPEN’s experts now holding advanced degrees (Master’s/PhD).  

Ms. Leago Takalani (South African National Space Agency – SANSA)  

Ms Takalani outlined SANSA’s four core focus areas: Earth Observation, Space Operations, Space Science, and Space Engineering. She highlighted the agency’s Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) for mission planning and its critical ground station operations, including the Hartebeeshoek facility for near-Earth missions and Maatjiesfontein’s Deep Space Network, which supports lunar exploration partnerships with NASA and other international entities.  

Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey (Kenya Space Agency – KSA)  

Brigadier Kipkosgey discussed KSA’s efforts to enhance private sector engagement in Kenya’s space ecosystem. He emphasised the agency’s role in streamlining regulations to encourage commercial participation, particularly in satellite development, data services, and downstream applications. He also noted ongoing collaborations with universities and startups to promote innovation.  

Rafik Akram (Centre Royal de Télédétection Spatiale – CRTS, Morocco) 

Mr Akram presented Morocco’s advancements in remote sensing and satellite technology, emphasising CRTS’s role in leveraging space data for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and urban planning. He referenced Morocco’s upcoming satellite projects and partnerships with regional and global space actors to expand its Earth observation capabilities.  

Keynote Address: Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Uganda’s Minister of State for ICT & National Guidance

Following the panel discussion, Hon Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Uganda’s Minister of State for Information, Communications, Technology (ICT), and National Guidance, delivered a keynote address emphasising space technology as a strategic pillar for national development. In her speech, she underscored Uganda’s commitment to leveraging space for socio-economic transformation, stating:

“Space is no longer a frontier for a select few; it is an essential tool for national development. Uganda recognises its potential in improving agriculture, disaster management, telecommunications, and security. We are actively integrating space-derived data into policymaking to enhance service delivery and uplift our citizens’ livelihoods.”

She highlighted Uganda’s collaborative approach, affirming the country’s readiness to partner with other African nations and the African Space Agency (AfSA) to advance sustainable space practices. “Africa’s strength lies in unity. Uganda stands ready to work with regional partners to build capacity, share knowledge, and ensure that space benefits translate into tangible improvements in healthcare, education, and infrastructure for our people.”

Additionally, she pointed to Uganda’s ongoing initiatives, including:

• Strengthening satellite-based solutions for climate resilience and food security.
• Investing in STEM education to nurture a skilled workforce for the space sector.
• Engaging the private sector to drive innovation in downstream space applications.

Status Updates on Space Activities in Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Libya

Following the keynote address by Uganda’s Minister of State for ICT, the conference continued with another panel discussion featuring updates on space activities from three additional African nations: Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Libya. The session was moderated by Dr Rakiya Babamaaji, Deputy Director of the Strategic Space Applications Department at Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

Arona Diedhiou, Director of Research at Côte d’Ivoire’s Institute of Research for Development, shared that his country is preparing to establish its national space agency, the Agence Spatiale de Côte d’Ivoire (ASCI), with plans for an official launch by the end of April 2025. He emphasised how space technology would be strategically applied to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural sector, which accounts for 25% of GDP and employs 60% of the population. Given the country’s position as the world’s leading producer of cocoa and cashew nuts, and a major global supplier of coffee, cotton, and palm oil, Diedhiou explained that satellite-based solutions would be critical for precision agriculture, crop monitoring, and climate resilience to maintain and enhance these vital industries.

From Gabon, Dr Mambimba Aboubakar, General Director of the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations (AGEOS), outlined his country’s comprehensive space strategy. He detailed the GabonSat-1 satellite project scheduled for 2025-2027 and plans to develop ground stations, launch infrastructure, and research facilities between 2025 and 2035. Dr. Aboubakar highlighted four key priorities: developing sovereign space capabilities, fostering a space economy to create jobs and attract investment, improving access to space technologies, and applying space solutions for sustainable development in climate monitoring, disaster management, and food security. He also noted ongoing efforts to build local expertise through scholarships, technical training programmes, and university partnerships to encourage private sector participation in Gabon’s space sector.

Dr Alkasih Akram, General Director of the Libyan Centre for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, discussed how Libya is leveraging space technology, particularly Earth observation, to address national challenges. He focused on applications for desertification monitoring, water resource management, and post-conflict reconstruction efforts, emphasising how satellite data is used for urban planning and infrastructure rehabilitation. Dr Akram also mentioned Libya’s interest in strengthening regional collaborations to revitalise its space programme after years of limited activity due to political instability.

Panel Discussion: Africa’s Role in the Global Space Community – Influence, Collaboration, and Opportunities  

The conference then turned to a high-level panel examining Africa’s growing influence and strategic positioning within the global space ecosystem. Moderated by Ambassador Rama Yade, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Centre, the discussion brought together prominent voices from international organisations and the satellite industry to explore how Africa can maximise its participation and leadership in space affairs.  

Dr Driss El-Hadani, Deputy Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), emphasised the need for Africa to assert itself as an equal partner in shaping global space governance. He highlighted how African nations increasingly contribute to international frameworks on space sustainability, spectrum allocation, and disaster management. Dr El-Hadani pointed to the continent’s unified voice in forums like the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) as evidence of its rising influence. He stressed that Africa must continue advocating for equitable access to orbital resources and space-derived data to bridge the digital divide.  

Dr Mahama Ouedraogo, former senior executive at the African Union Commission (AUC), provided a continental perspective on institutional collaboration. He noted that while the African Space Agency (AfSA) represents a major step toward pan-African coordination, individual nations must align their policies and investments to create a truly integrated space economy. Dr Ouedraogo called for stronger intra-African partnerships in satellite development, data sharing, and ground infrastructure to reduce reliance on foreign systems. He also urged African governments to prioritise space in their national development agendas, arguing that space capabilities are no longer optional but essential for sovereignty and economic competitiveness.  

From the private sector standpoint, Isabelle Mauro, Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA), outlined concrete opportunities for Africa to leverage commercial space solutions. She noted that satellite operators are increasingly tailoring services to meet Africa’s unique needs, from broadband connectivity for rural communities to Earth observation for climate adaptation. Mauro encouraged African regulators to create enabling environments for space entrepreneurship through streamlined licensing and incentives for local startups. She also highlighted the potential for public-private partnerships to scale space applications in agriculture, mining, and maritime security.  

Ambassador Yade guided the panel through a robust exchange on overcoming barriers to Africa’s space ambitions. Key themes included the need for sustained investment in STEM education to build a skilled workforce, the importance of homegrown innovation to complement technology transfer, and the role of regional blocs like ECOWAS and SADC in harmonising space policies.  

The discussion closed with a consensus that Africa’s future in space depends on three pillars: strategic autonomy (developing sovereign capabilities), smart collaboration (developing win-win international partnerships), and inclusive growth (ensuring space benefits reach all citizens). As the global space economy expands, the panel underscored that Africa must move from being a consumer to a co-creator of space solutions, a transition already underway but requiring accelerated action and political will.  

Panel Discussion: African Satcom Operators – Challenges, Collaboration, and Connectivity for a Better Continent  

Moderated by Timothy Ashong, Managing Director of RASCOM, this panel brought together leading African satellite operators to explore strategies for enhancing continental connectivity, overcoming regulatory hurdles, and promoting collaboration to bridge the digital divide. The discussion highlighted both the progress and challenges in expanding affordable, reliable satellite services across Africa.  

Dr Amr ElSayed Emam, Head of the Space Sector, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, pointing to Nilesat 301’s coverage of Egypt and the MENA region as a foundation for partnerships with other African operators. He stressed that synergy among operators, through infrastructure sharing, joint service offerings, and coordinated spectrum management, could reduce costs and expand access. “No single operator can meet Africa’s connectivity needs alone,” he noted. “By pooling resources and expertise, we can deliver seamless services across borders.”  

Abiodun Attah, Executive Director of Technical Services, NigComSat, shared insights from Nigeria’s success in driving revenue growth through targeted connectivity solutions. NigComSat’s 300% revenue increase over the past year, he explained, resulted from a diversified strategy focusing on government services, mobile network operator (MNO) backhauling, and enterprise solutions. Mr Attah highlighted the untapped potential of rural connectivity, calling for hybrid business models that combine commercial viability with public-sector support to reach underserved areas.  

Dr Zolana Joao, General Manager, GGPEN, addressed African operators’ financial and regulatory challenges. While Angola’s Connects Angola initiative has leveraged satellite services to bridge gaps, he acknowledged the heavy reliance on international providers. “Commercial operators won’t invest where profits are uncertain,” he said. “Governments must intervene to subsidise rural connectivity while updating licensing frameworks to accommodate LEO satellites and other innovations.” He urged regulators to balance investor incentives with affordable access.  

Dr Anis Youssef, General Manager, Telnet, showcased how cost-effective solutions can maximise impact. Telnet’s single satellite and ground stations provide four daily revisits, sufficient for many agricultural, environmental, and security applications. “By optimising existing capabilities, we can serve more users without prohibitive costs.” He advocated for scalable, demand-driven services to attract broader adoption.  

Key Themes and Actionable Strategies  

• Collaborative Infrastructure: Panellists agreed that shared ground stations, transponder leasing, and joint ventures could lower barriers to entry and improve service delivery.  
• Regulatory Modernisation: Outdated licensing regimes must adapt to LEO/MEO constellations and hybrid (public-private) funding models.  
• Rural Connectivity: Governments and operators need blended financing to extend services to low-revenue areas while ensuring sustainability.  
• Local Capacity: Investing in African manufacturing (e.g., smallsats) and workforce training will reduce dependency on foreign providers.  

The session closed with a call for a pan-African satcom alliance to align policy, investment, and innovation, ensuring satellite technology fulfils its promise as a tool for inclusive growth. “Our competition isn’t each other,” concluded Mr Ashong. “It’s the global players dominating our skies. Only unity will secure Africa’s place in the space economy.”  

Following the panel on African satellite operators, John P. Janka, Chief Officer for Global Government Affairs at Viasat, delivered a keynote address on the evolving dynamics of the global satellite communications (satcom) market and its implications for Africa. His presentation focused on three critical areas: spectrum management, the coexistence of Geostationary (GSO) and Non-Geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems, and the need for adaptive regulatory frameworks to foster innovation while ensuring equitable access.

Panel Discussion: African Satellite Connectivity – Balancing Non-Terrestrial Networks, Competition, and Market Growth 

Moderated by Dr Mohamed El-Moghazi, Executive Director of International Spectrum Affairs at Egypt’s NTRA, this panel brought together global and African satellite industry leaders to address the challenges and opportunities presented by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), and evolving regulatory landscapes.   

The panellist included John P. Janka, Chief Officer, Global Government Affairs, Viasat; Amr AbdulNabi Ibrahim Ashour, Senior Manager for Market Access – Middle East & Africa at Eutelsat Group; Chris Hofer, Head, International Spectrum Management and Strategy, Amazon -Project Kuiper; Timothy Ashong, MD, RASCOM and Mulweli Rebelo, Director Africa Connectivity Initiatives, Regent Square Group (RSG) and moderated by Dr Mohamed El-Moghazi, Executive Director, International Spectrum Affairs, NTRA Egypt.

The Multi-Orbit Future: Collaboration vs. Competition

John P. Janka (Viasat) emphasised that while LEO constellations bring new connectivity possibilities, existing GEO operators should not be sidelined. He argued that maintaining stable regulatory frameworks would avoid disrupting long-term investments. “Millions have been invested under current rules—sudden changes could destabilise the market. Instead, improve enforcement to ensure a level playing field.” 

Amr AbdulNabi Ibrahim Ashour (Eutelsat) echoed this, noting that *different orbits serve different needs—GEO for broadcast and wide coverage, LEO for low-latency applications. “The key is collaboration, not competition. Regulators must avoid overreach while ensuring fair spectrum access.”  

Chris Hofer (Amazon Kuiper) highlighted technical coordination as critical, especially with ITU’s role in spectrum management. He stressed space sustainability, explaining Kuiper’s collision-avoidance systems and natural decay mechanisms to minimise orbital debris.  

Licensing and Regulatory Challenges  

Mulweli Rebelo (Regent Square Group) pointed out compliance hurdles for new entrants like Starlink, noting that LEO is best suited for rural areas, not dense urban markets. He proposed regulatory sandboxes: temporary frameworks allowing operators to test technologies and policy alignment before full-scale deployment.  

Timothy Ashong (RASCOM) called for a pan-African LEO initiative, backed by the African Union, to ensure regional sovereignty and affordability. “We must speak with one voice at ITU WRC-27 to secure Africa’s orbital rights.”  

The 6G and NTN Horizon 

The panel agreed that Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) will integrate with 6G, but interference management is crucial. Dr El-Moghazi stressed harmonising ITU and ATU (African Telecommunications Union) policies to avoid fragmentation.  

Rebelo warned against data localisation mandates, which could stifle innovation: *“Sovereignty is important, but affordability matters more. Overregulation will deter investment.”  

Key Takeaways & Roadmap  

• Spectrum Harmony: Africa must advocate for fair allocation at WRC-27, balancing GEO and NGSO needs.  
• Regulatory Agility: Implement sandbox models to test new tech and accompanying policies without stifling innovation.  
• Pan-African Collaboration: A unified approach to LEO deployment, licensing, and infrastructure sharing can reduce costs and increase access.  
• Sustainable Space: Operators must prioritise debris mitigation and spectrum efficiency to secure long-term growth.  

Innovation Spotlights: Keynotes on Space Advancements  

Following the panel discussions, the conference shifted to “Innovation Spotlights“, a dynamic session where leading space companies showcased cutting-edge technologies and solutions tailored to Africa’s growing space ecosystem. Each keynote highlighted unique advancements in satellite manufacturing, Earth observation, and space applications, demonstrating how innovation can bridge gaps in connectivity, agriculture, climate resilience, and more.  

The speaker list included Dr Sunghee Lee, CEO, CONTEC; Dr Umut Yildiz, CSO, Plan-S Satellite and Space Technologies; Mr Xu Huan, International Market Director, MinoSpace; Professor Tian Tan, Deputy Chief Engineer, DFH Satellite Corporation; Titus Kiragu, Space Solutions Lead, STAR.VISION, and Alejandro Barraza, Director of International Business Development, Satlantis. 

Panel Discussion: African GNSS Augmentation Systems – Business Case & Implementation  

The final panel of the day tackled a critical yet often overlooked aspect of Africa’s space ecosystem: Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and their transformative potential for the continent’s aviation, maritime, agriculture, and smart infrastructure sectors. Moderated by Meshack Ndiritu (Space Applications Trainer, ESTI-AUC), the session brought together experts to dissect the economic viability, technical roadmaps, and collaborative models needed to deploy GNSS augmentation across Africa.  

The Economic Imperative: Why Africa Needs SBAS  

Semou Diouf (Director, SatNav Africa Joint Programme Office)* opened with hard numbers, citing the 2023 AU Continental SBAS Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) study, which projects USD 1.1 billion in economic gains over 25 years for South Africa alone, with similar upsides continent-wide. “Precision navigation isn’t a luxury; it’s a GDP multiplier,” he stressed, highlighting:  

• Aviation: Reduced flight delays and fuel savings (up to 15% per route) through optimised SBAS-guided approaches.  
• Agriculture: 30% efficiency gains** in mechanised farming via centimetre-accurate GNSS for planting/harvesting.  
• Maritime: Port congestion relief through real-time vessel tracking in dense corridors like Lagos and Durban.  

The ANGA Programme: A Pan-African Blueprint  

Diouf detailed progress under the African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) and ANGA SBAS initiative involving 18 African states. Key milestones include:  

• Testbed deployments in Congo, Lome and Nigeria, validating SBAS accuracy for aviation.  
• Policy harmonisation to adopt ICAO standards for SBAS-enabled flight procedures.