Excerpts from the 2023 NewSpace Africa Conference; Day One
Space in Africa, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Côte d’Ivoire, is convening the 2023 NewSpace Africa Conference from 25-28 April 2023 at Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The much anticipated high-level gathering of space actors on the continent records a massive turnout from 190 organisations,…
Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister, Patrick Jerome Achi, and 400 Delegates from 54 Countries are Expected at the 2023 NewSpace Africa Conference
In less than 18 hours, Côte d'Ivoire's Prime Minister, Patrick Jerome Achi and over 400 delegates from 54 countries across four continents will converge at Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to kickstart the highly anticipated 2023 NewSpace Africa Conference. The four-day conference (25-28 April 2023), organised by Space in Africa in collaboration with the African Union…
Fostering Financial Inclusivity in Africa through GIS-Based Solutions
Geographical Information System (GIS) significantly promotes financial inclusion in Africa by mapping and analysing financial access. In essence, GIS can help identify unserved or underserved areas and understand the demographics and characteristics of these populations to inform targeted financial services. Subsequently, it increases access to financial assistance for the unbanked and…
GMES & Africa Announces its 2023 Startups Development Programme Winners
The GMES and Africa support programme has announced its 2023 Startups Development (SD) programme winners. The SD programme was created under the aegis of the GMES and Africa Incubation and Acceleration (GAIA) initiative, a part of the GMES and Africa Phase 2 programme, focused on supporting research and entrepreneurship in the African NewSpace ecosystem.
The programme received 43 applications…
Excerpts from SARAO’s 4th Big Data Africa School
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) hosted the Big Data Africa School after more than three years of pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 4th Big Data Africa School was funded by the UK Newton Fund under the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) Big Data project.
As released by SARAO, this year’s school hosted 25 participants in Cape Town from 5-11 March 2023,…
What Role do Satellites Play in Improving Air Quality in Africa?
Air pollution in Africa is a significant problem affecting millions of people's health and well-being. For example, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), prolonged exposure to air pollution in children across Africa amounts to 1.96 billion IQ points lost yearly. Thus, this article highlights how satellite data can help to reduce air pollution and increase the air quality…
The Role of Space-based Solutions in South Africa’s Approved National Spatial Framework
On February 1 2023, South Africa released her Approved National Spatial Development Framework, a comprehensive and strategic plan for land use and natural resource management. In addition, the framework is the first of its kind in the country, rooted in achieving the constitutional transformation goal. The approved final document describes an implementation strategy to execute the framework's…
Can Satellite-Based Solutions help to Combat Wildfires in Africa?
One of the major agendas of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is to create awareness, champion effective environmental measures, and encourage cooperation between member states. In its Spreading Like Wildfire - The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscapes report, UNEP says Africa accounts for 67% of global fire. Beyond the statistics, wildfires present a substantial environmental…
AUC Inaugurates the African Space Agency
On the grounds of the newly completed structure for the African Space Agency (AfSA), domiciled within Egypt’s Space City, the African Union Commission and the Egyptian government, represented by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, signed an agreement on 25 January 2023 to formally inaugurate and declare AfSA open and operational. The agreement provides the general framework…
“We Foresee Africa Becoming our Majority Revenue Source in Two to Three Years” – Kyle Whitehill, CEO, Avanti Communications
Avanti Communications prides itself as the leading satellite operator providing high-throughput Ka-band satellite connectivity to the communications industry across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Whether in orbit or on the ground, Avanti has built a roster of assets that enable the business to deliver rural backhaul and provide mission-critical satellite capacity to communications partners.……