The AUC participated in the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, USA, from 8 to 11 April 2024
The aim was to strengthen cooperation between the AUC and the Space Foundation in the field of space education while taking the opportunity to meet with relevant US departments and agencies. The delegation was led by H.E. Commissioner ESTI
AUC participated in two panels and delivered a keynote. The Commissioner intervened on the panel ‘Nations to watch’, providing evidence on why Africa is the next frontier in space exploration. Africa’s space economy is projected to soar to approximately $23 billion by 2026, with an impressive 16.16% growth rate. More than 100 satellites are to be developed during the same period. He highlighted Africa's potential for space exploration: its space economy is expected to reach $23 billion by 2026, with a growth rate of 16.16%. More than 100 satellites are expected to be developed, and nearly 400 NewSpace companies are manufacturing space assets and integrating AI and machine learning.
Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, the president of the inaugural Africa Space Council participated in the panel on “Education to Workforce Development”. He delivered a keynote inspired by the AU Agenda 2063- the guiding compass to propel African nations toward becoming middle-income knowledge-based economies. This agenda is well supported by both the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa, the Continental Education Strategy, and the African Space Policy and Strategy that advocate for skills revolution in STEM fields, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a critical mass of scientists to support the African Outer Space Programme. with the African youthful population that is becoming well educated, the continent can leverage on positive brain gain by serving as a workforce bank for the global space industry.
However:
Links
AUC/ESTI/G&A/MKN&BM
Professor Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner ESTI
AUC participated in two panels and delivered a keynote. The Commissioner intervened on the panel ‘Nations to watch’, providing evidence on why Africa is the next frontier in space exploration. Africa’s space economy is projected to soar to approximately $23 billion by 2026, with an impressive 16.16% growth rate. More than 100 satellites are to be developed during the same period. He highlighted Africa's potential for space exploration: its space economy is expected to reach $23 billion by 2026, with a growth rate of 16.16%. More than 100 satellites are expected to be developed, and nearly 400 NewSpace companies are manufacturing space assets and integrating AI and machine learning.
Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, the president of the inaugural Africa Space Council participated in the panel on “Education to Workforce Development”. He delivered a keynote inspired by the AU Agenda 2063- the guiding compass to propel African nations toward becoming middle-income knowledge-based economies. This agenda is well supported by both the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa, the Continental Education Strategy, and the African Space Policy and Strategy that advocate for skills revolution in STEM fields, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a critical mass of scientists to support the African Outer Space Programme. with the African youthful population that is becoming well educated, the continent can leverage on positive brain gain by serving as a workforce bank for the global space industry.
However:
- The African Space Strategy aims to develop a skilled workforce in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which will be critical in the ground support, space and space data and services sectors.
- The continent suffers from an imbalance between capacity building efforts and actual capacity utilisation. It is not absorbing enough graduates, leading to a brain drain effect. Revitalising infrastructure and facilities is essential to attract skilled labour.
Dr Tidiane Ouattara, président of the African Space Council
AUC leveraged on the opportunity to meet with the US Departments of State and Commerce, to further the discussions on potential collaboration, while revisiting the opportunities at the NewSpace Africa 2024 conference, which provided a one-stop shop for dialogue with national space agencies and decision makers. The information gathered is useful for developing potential cooperation with Africa in the field of space.
Bilateral meeting with NASA Deputy Administrator and the US National Space Council reiterated on the need for creation of a working group to develop a cooperation document between AUC (including the African Space Agency) and US Departments and Agencies. Among the recommendations is to having a synergy of work between GMES & Africa programme and the SERVIR programme.
Bilateral meeting with NASA Deputy Administrator and the US National Space Council reiterated on the need for creation of a working group to develop a cooperation document between AUC (including the African Space Agency) and US Departments and Agencies. Among the recommendations is to having a synergy of work between GMES & Africa programme and the SERVIR programme.
Meetings between AU and US
Links
- https://www.spacesymposium.org/agenda/
- https://www.spacesymposium.org/home-page/
- https://www.spacefoundation.org/
- LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/meshack-ndiritu_last-month-on-the-margins-of-the-39th-space-activity-7195145978809634816-ZWdh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
- LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/meshack-ndiritu_spacesymposium-africaspace-stemrevolution-activity-7185278571244838913-AeL4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
AUC/ESTI/G&A/MKN&BM
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