Why Africa Must Join the Space Technology Race: Innovation, Sustainability, and Circular Growth

Authored by Miguel Ugochukwu Peters
Published on January 28, 2025

https://acba.africa/about-us/#who

A Night Under the African Sky

I will never forget the evening I spent with a group of young students in a rural area far from the bright city lights of Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State in southern Nigeria, during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days. As we looked up at the Milky Way sprawling across the sky like a celestial river, a 15-year-old boy named Effiong asked me, “Do you believe Africa will ever reach the stars?”

His inquiry went beyond mere curiosity; it was a heartfelt request for hope, opportunities, and a place within a future that frequently seems unattainable. This moment solidified my conviction: Africa must not merely observe the global space technology race. The stars serve not as a luxury but as steps toward addressing our most urgent issues. For Effiong and countless others, space technology represents not an escape, but a means of empowerment.

The African Context: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

The challenges faced by Africa are widely recognized: climate crises are forcing communities to relocate, unpredictable rainfall is harming smallholder farmers, and preventable diseases are resulting in fatalities due to insufficient infrastructure. However, these difficulties highlight the importance of space technology.

Consider agriculture, which employs 60% of Africa’s workforce. Satellite data can forecast droughts, assess soil health, and improve irrigation efficiency. In Kenya, projects utilize satellite technology to offer farmers immediate information on crop health, soil moisture, and pest issues. Likewise, Rwanda’s partnership with the Japanese Aerospace Agency (JAXA) uses satellite data to address landslides, thus protecting lives in at-risk communities.

Space technology is not merely a distant aspiration but an essential survival toolkit.

Economic Liberation: Jobs, Innovation, and Global Partnerships

Critics frequently ask, “Why prioritize space investment when we need to build roads and staff hospitals?" However, this perspective fails to recognize the widespread impact of space innovations. By 2040, the global space economy is expected to reach $1.1 trillion. Africa, characterized by its young population and immense potential, should seize its share.

Reflect on Nigeria’s progress. Since the debut of NigeriaSat-1 in 2003, the nation has decreased disaster response times, enhanced urban planning, and motivated a new wave of engineers meanwhile, startups like Farmerline in Ghana leverage satellite technology to assist smallholder farmers. South Africa’s Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope has established the continent as a center for astronomical research.

At the African Circular Business Alliance (ACBA), we are launching Project DRAGON—an ambitious initiative to enhance Africa’s role in innovative circular technologies. DRAGON, an acronym for Drones & Robotics, Advanced Grids, and Orbital Networks, acts as a driver for three transformative objectives:

1. Regional Connectivity: Improving communication networks with satellite and telecom infrastructure to close the digital gap.

2. Innovation: Utilizing drones and robotics for accurate agriculture, disaster response, and healthcare services in isolated regions.

3. Infrastructure Development: Constructing sustainable space-technology systems, like clean-energy-powered satellite hubs, to foster smart cities and resilient economies against climate change.

Picture satellites and drones actively mapping deforestation in the Congo Basin while robotic systems convert e-waste in Lagos into parts for satellite technology. This is the future envisioned by DRAGON—a reality where circularity and space technology come together to generate jobs, minimize waste, and empower communities.

Igniting the Spark: Youth, Education, and the Power of Imagination

Effiong’s question resonates in classrooms and lecture halls from Lagos to Johannesburg. Although Africa’s median age is 19, many young individuals think innovation occurs “elsewhere.” Space technology can change this perspective. In 2019, 14-year-old South African Brittany Bull and 16-year-old Sesam Mngqengqiswa created and constructed payloads for a satellite that measures agricultural data as part of a project to enhance STEM education for young women. Their experience illustrates that with investments in STEM education and mentorship, African youth don’t just participate—they take charge. Organizations like ACBA collaborate with universities, space institutions, and private space-tech firms to develop space ecosystems for entrepreneurs. By nurturing local talent, we’re not only building satellites—we’re cultivating confidence.

Collaboration Over Competition: The African Space Agency and Beyond

No single country can conquer space by itself. The formation of the African Space Agency (AfSA) in 2023 by the African Union represents a significant milestone. AfSA seeks to integrate scattered initiatives in Egypt, combining resources for continent-wide endeavors like the African Resource Management Satellite Constellation.

However, establishing institutions is just the beginning. ACBA promotes public-private partnerships that connect governments, startups, and international stakeholders. For instance, when Ethiopia launched its first satellite, ETRSS-1, in 2019, it worked alongside Chinese engineers, exemplifying South-South collaboration. These partnerships help minimize costs, facilitate skill transfer, and speed advancement.

The Cost of Inaction: Falling Behind in a Connected World

The consequences of hesitation are significant. Africa relies on foreign data, lacks sovereign space capabilities, and is frequently outdated or hard to access. The 2019 Cyclone Idai in Mozambique demonstrated the critical need for prompt and localized disaster response. Although international satellite imagery was employed, the cyclone's catastrophic effects emphasized the necessity for strengthening local capacity.

Moreover, the digital divide widens. Africa cannot afford to lag as the world advances toward 6G, AI, and quantum computing. Space technology underpins modern connectivity—from broadband satellites to GPS-enabled logistics. Without it, we risk perpetual underdevelopment.

A Call to Action: Crafting Africa’s Cosmic Destiny

To those who doubt, I point out that Africa has long been a center of innovation. Centuries back, the Dogon people in Mali profoundly understood the Sirius star system, showcasing an impressive level of astronomical knowledge for their era. Now, we are poised to build on the legacy of our ancestors and rediscover our creativity.

Here’s how we begin:

1. Invest in Education: Focus on STEM programs and provide scholarships for space-related studies.

2. Support Local Innovators: Governments should establish tax breaks for space startups.

3. Democratize Data: Ensure satellite data is accessible for agriculture, disaster management, and environmental monitoring at no cost.

4. Think Circular: Align space initiatives with sustainability objectives, ensuring technology benefits people and the planet.

An African proverb states, “The world resembles a dancing mask. To truly appreciate it, you cannot remain fixed in one spot.” To advance, we must keep our gaze on the skies while staying grounded in the soil of progress. Together, we will guarantee that Effiong’s generation inherits an Africa that is resilient, innovative, and boldly striving for the stars.

About the Author

Miguel Ugochukwu Peters is the CEO of the African Circular Business Alliance (ACBA), where he spearheads the incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies—like AI, space technology, renewable energy, and sophisticated recycling—into circular business frameworks. With his guidance, ACBA is launching groundbreaking initiatives that enhance resource efficiency, minimize waste, and create economic opportunities, contributing to a more resilient and self-reliant Africa.