SCIENCE science.org
EDITORIAL
22 APRIL 2022 • VOL 376 ISSUE 6591 329A
s the world becomes increasingly dependent on
satellites and other space technology, new par-
ticipants from every global region are joining
the “space club” to reap the benefits—expand-
ing communication and navigation capabilities;
guiding policies with Earth observations; devel-
oping economies through growth in space ven-
tures; and deepening our understanding of the cosmos
through exploration. Consequently, countries are focus-
ing on job opportunities, competitiveness, national se-
curity, and on having a voice in the global governance of
space activities. Africa not only has a growing interest
in space, but African countries are realizing that there
is strength in pooling their resources and efforts to
grow the continent’s outer space enterprise.
In January 2016, the African Union (AU) adopted
the African Space Policy and Strategy, with the goal of
creating an integrated African space program that is re-
sponsive to the social, economic,
political, and environmental
needs of the continent. Another
goal is to develop a regulatory
framework that supports Africa’s
competitiveness in space while en-
suring that Africa is a responsible
and peaceful user of outer space.
Two years later, the African Space
Agency was established to imple-
ment continental space policy and
strategy, as well as to oversee the
support and coordination of space
programs across Africa. This in-
cludes facilitating access to space
resources and services, developing space infrastructure,
and strengthening space research and development. Such
aims require local and international cooperation.
The African Space Agency does face challenges. The
agency was officially established as an organ of the AU
Commission, rather than as a specialized agency with
political and financial autonomy, which limits its op-
portunities to build international partnerships and
fund projects. Another challenge is how the agency will
operate with national space agencies across the conti-
nent. Fourteen African countries now have established
national space agencies, and 9 countries have national
space policy frameworks. Such independent efforts are
expected to increase over the next few years. The Af-
rican Space Agency needs to create a framework for
leveraging the capabilities of each country without con-
flicting with their national obligations.
The good news is that intra-African cooperation is
strong and growing. For example, Smart Africa is an
alliance of 30 African countries that aims to ramp up
satellite-based internet connectivity. More public-private
partnerships across Africa intend to bridge equity gaps
by providing connectivity and enabling access to the
space market. Another example is the Square Kilometer
Array (SKA), the world’s largest and most advanced ra-
dio telescope, currently under development. Nine Afri-
can countries are collaborating to carry out this project
(Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mo-
zambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia). Fourteen
countries from around the world, including South Af-
rica, constitute The SKA Organisation, which will supply
funds and technical expertise for the facility. Data from
the SKA will be used by scientists around the world.
With a growing space enterprise, Africa must develop
an indigenous workforce to stay competitive. Already, 13
African countries have launched 44 satellites at a cost
of $4.5 billion, with 125 more in
development. The AU needs to
accelerate launching the Pan-Afri-
can University Institute for Space
Sciences, which is intended to fill
a pipeline with skilled labor for
Africa’s space industry. Given the
current impasse between the AU
and South Africa, which was given
hosting rights, the AU should be-
gin a new process to choose an-
other host country and quickly
establish this much needed insti-
tution. Furthermore, an African
space education summit should
be convened to build a strategy to prepare the next genera-
tion of students to enter all sectors of the space enterprise.
The African Academy of Science, with its expertise in geo-
logical, environmental, Earth, and space science, as well as
policy, is in a good position to start planning that meeting.
A vibrant space industry is a refreshing change from
past international efforts that tended to cast Africa as a
resource for external interests or simply as a continent
always in need of support. US Secretary of State Antony
Blinken emphasized that Africa has a choice of coun-
tries to partner with, and should expect better engage-
ment, hinting at the need for broad partnerships and
investments in Africa. The question of what this could
look like should be put on the agenda at the next US-
Africa Summit later this year. African nations are now
in a position to deliver the benefits of space innovation
to their populations and to the world.
–Timiebi Aganaba and Etim OffiongAfrica’s growing space enterprise
Timiebi Aganaba
is an assistant
professor at the
School for the Future
of Innovation in
Society, Arizona
State University,
Tempe, AZ, USA.
taganabajeanty@
asu.eduEtim Offiong
is an assistant chief
scientific officer
at the African
Regional Center
for Space Science
and Technology
Education in English,
Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
eooffiong@
arcsstee.org.ng10.1126/science.abq“...past international
efforts...tended
to cast Africa as a
resource for external
interests...”