NewSpace Africa Startup Pitch Competition 2026 Finalists
The African upstream space sector is being built by founders, engineers, and entrepreneurs designing satellites, developing propulsion systems, and building capabilities across satellite systems, launch technologies, and critical infrastructure across the continent, often with limited resources and against considerable odds. With this new generation of startups moving beyond concept-stage innovation to the design, development, and early deployment of space technologies, the NewSpace Africa Startup Pitch Competition 2026 aims to spotlight emerging companies, amplify their work, and connect them with investors, partners, and decision-makers who can accelerate their growth.
This year’s competition attracted entries from early-stage African upstream NewSpace startups operating across Northern, Western, Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa, including Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, and South Africa. The cohort spans a range of development stages, with 54% of startups at the pre-seed stage, 31% in the implementation phase, and 15% in the piloting phase. All participating companies were established between 2019 and 2025, underscoring the acceleration of entrepreneurial activity within Africa’s upstream segment. The distribution of these startups highlights a growing continental footprint in areas usually dominated by more mature players and governments. From satellite assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) to propulsion systems, ground infrastructure, and payload development, the drive to engage in technically complex, capital-intensive segments of the value chain signals a shift toward indigenous capability development.
Judging Process
Applications were evaluated through a preliminary review conducted by a panel of industry experts, investors, and ecosystem leaders with experience across Africa’s upstream space and satellite sector. Judges assessed each application against the quality and clarity of the pitch deck, the strength of the founding team, the technical and commercial viability of the proposed technology or system, the robustness of the business model, and the addressable market opportunity relative to institutional, government, and commercial space customers.
Following a rigorous review process, four finalists were shortlisted and invited to compete in the final live pitch round at the NewSpace Africa Conference 2026 in Libreville. Each finalist will deliver a five-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges, who will provide critical feedback on business models, technical readiness, and investment attractiveness at the NewSpace Africa Conference 2026, set to be held from 20th to 23rd April 2026 in Libreville, Gabon, to an audience of investors, space agency heads, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the continent and beyond. Shortlisted startups will receive a comprehensive package designed to maximise visibility and commercial opportunity. This includes complimentary access to the NewSpace Africa Conference, structured networking engagements, dedicated exhibition slots at the conference to showcase their products and services alongside other African and foreign industry players at the NSAC 2026 Exhibition Showcase, and enhanced media visibility across Space in Africa’s platforms for the winning startup.
The 2026 Finalists
These four finalists each represent a distinct segment of Africa’s upstream ecosystem. Nanosatellite Missions Design focuses on satellite systems and mission design, as well as assembly, integration, and testing capabilities. NewCraft Aerospace is advancing work in satellite AIT, contributing to the development of localised engineering and manufacturing expertise. Nakuja Space operates in launch technology and propulsion systems, areas that remain largely underdeveloped on the continent yet critical for long-term strategic autonomy. AfriSpace Labs Ltd brings a broader approach, spanning payload development, satellite AIT, ground infrastructure, and component manufacturing.
Nanosatellite Missions Design
Nanosatellite Missions Design (NMD) was established in Cameroon to champion African space sovereignty. As the premier spacetech firm and satellite integrator in Francophone Africa, NMD is redefining the continent’s role in the global space economy. Since its inception, the company has successfully trained over 200 Africans in satellite and space mission design. By serving a broad spectrum of public- and private-sector clients across Africa and Europe, NMD has transitioned from a regional pioneer to an essential industrial hub. Today, NMD remains on a rapid trajectory toward becoming a dominant force in Africa’s orbital future.
NewCraft Aerospace
NewCraft Aerospace breaks the current market link between spacecraft system design, typically performed in high-cost economies, and the manufacturing, assembly, integration and test (MAIT). The result is a significant reduction in mission cost, accelerated schedules and a route to increased African sovereignty. NewCraft operates a horizontal business model, based around a South African space-tech accelerator cluster, the Cape Constellation. Supported by a number of specialised companies working at the 2nd and 3rd Tiers. The model further reduces cost and CapEx requirements and is geographically scalable.
Nakuja Space
Nakuja Space builds dedicated small satellite launch vehicles for Low Earth Orbit. As a commercial spin-off from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, we capitalise on Kenya’s strategic equatorial advantage to offer high-frequency micro-launcher services tailored to African nations and global constellation operators. Our core technical foundation is driven by an elite engineering team transitioning from the university’s premier rocketry program. By leveraging this proprietary talent pipeline, we are building the foundational infrastructure to vertically integrate into high-margin downstream markets and capture maximum value across Africa’s rapidly expanding satellite manufacturing ecosystem.
AfriSpace Labs Ltd
AfriSpace Labs Ltd is an indigenous African upstream space hardware startup redefining Africa’s role in space. We build modular CubeSat platforms that enable institutions to design, assemble, and operate satellites locally, transforming Africa from a consumer into a producer of space technology. Our scalable 1U-3U systems power applications in Earth observation, IoT, and climate monitoring, backed by Technology Readiness Level 6 validation and multi-country deployments. By combining cost-optimised hardware with hands-on engineering, we are unlocking real satellite capabilities across the continent. AfriSpace Labs is not just building satellites; we are building Africa’s upstream space industry and the engineers who will lead it.
Organised by Space in Africa, the NewSpace Africa Startup Pitch Competition continues to serve as a platform for identifying and elevating high-potential ventures, while connecting them with investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. As these startups progress from early-stage development toward commercial viability, they position Africa as an increasingly capable and competitive player within the global space economy.