What to Expect from the African Space Industry in 2024
2023 witnessed monumental strides for Africa's space aspirations, as many nations advanced their exploration programmes - graduating mainly from initiation and planning phases into execution. Milestones like Egypt launching several satellites for integrated applications, Djibouti’s first satellite launch, and players like Senegal establishing a national space agency cemented an upward continental…
2023 in Review: The Earth Observation Industry Segment in Africa
The Earth Observation segment remains one of the fastest-growing industry segments in the global space industry. It is the most populous sector within the African space industry, with more NewSpace companies springing up in the ecosystem yearly, thus attracting significant investments because of its significant impact in addressing developmental challenges in Africa and meeting various…
MTN Group Exploring LEO Satellite Services to Enhance Network Resilience
According to an official statement released by the MTN Group, the mobile telecommunications provider is currently exploring low earth orbit (LEO) satellite solutions in collaboration with operators like SpaceX's Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb. This initiative aims to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions and enhance network resilience in areas where cellular infrastructure faces challenges.…
Africa’s Participation at the 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference
Delegates from multiple African nations and regional organisations are participating in the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC-23) in the United Arab Emirates from 20 November to 15 December 2023. This event, organised and hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), takes place every three to four years. Its purpose is to review and potentially update the Radio…
KSA Partners with the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy for Wildlife and Habitat Conservation
According to a news report by Ghana News, the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) and Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) have signed a 5-year partnership to use geospatial technologies to reinforce conservancy efforts for the critically endangered Mountain Bongo antelopes from extinction and its habitat, Mount Kenya.
The collaboration will leverage space technology for real-time monitoring, community…
GMES and Africa Kicks off the Inaugural Forum of Phase Two
The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa has kicked off proceedings from the first forum of its second phase of operations. The event began today in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and will run for four days, concluding on November 30, 2023. The forum will centre on strategies for utilising “Earth Observation for Resilience and Innovation in Africa'' to advance socioeconomic…
Vice President Harris Announces New Government and Over USD 7 Billion Private US Commitments to Strengthen Climate Adaptation Across Africa
During a trip to Lusaka, Zambia, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called on the private sector to enhance African climate resilience and sustainability. In response, private companies have committed over USD 7 billion in new investments targeting adaptation, mitigation and clean energy access. This was announced via an official release by the United States government.
Furthermore, the U.S.…
Progress Report on GMES and Africa Programme
Background
The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa (GMES & Africa) Support Programme is a joint programme co-financed by the European Commission and the African Union Commission. The Programme was designed to specifically respond to African needs concerning developing services for water, natural resources, marine and coastal areas, address the global needs to manage the…
President Tinubu Appoints Nkechi Egerton-Idehen as the New CEO of NIGCOMSAT
The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has announced a significant reshuffle within the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, appointing Nkechi Egerton-Idehen as the new Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT). This move is part of a broader multi-agency restructuring to bolster the country's communication, innovation, and…
Affordable Radio Telescope Aids Research and Training Opportunities for African Scientists
In a news release by the South African Radio Astronomy Observation (SARAO), the institute stated that researchers and engineers from nine African nations converged at Rhodes University in Makhanda for a five days workshop centred around the construction of a low-cost radio telescope known as the 'Transient Array Radio Telescope' or TART. The workshop hosted at Rhodes' Continuing Education Centre…