Roadmap for Integrated Space Applications in Africa

Abstract

The increasing awareness of the benefits that space applications can provide for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals has spurred more interest in space activities by emerging space countries, particularly in Africa. The national space policies of many of these countries suggest that they value the deployment of satellite applications for health care delivery, agriculture, and disaster management. However, entry into the space sector requires massive monetary investments that could prevent other low-income economies in the continent from benefiting from satellite applications. This article examines the current models that emerging space countries have adopted and alternatives that may be available to newly emerging African States. The focus is on the use of integrated space applications for development purposes. We propose a hierarchy-based roadmap for progressively growing sector capacity to advance the current models by expanding the scope and depth of applications, expanding regional and global partnerships, and establishing a plan for sustainable growth of technological capacity. The article also discusses legal and policy requirements that must be aligned to ensure the success of the roadmap.