African countries are not traditionally known for having strong space programs but now as the cost of launching satellites into orbit falls, that’s starting to change and Africa is becoming one of the fastest-growing space markets in the world.
In contrast to programs in the U.S., Europe or Russia where space initiatives are often research-driven, African policymakers tend to view the deployment of new satellites as infrastructure, just as it is to build roads, bridges and ports on the ground.
So, it’s not surprising then that the Chinese are playing an increasingly important to finance, build and launch African satellites into orbit.
Earlier this month, the new Sudan Remote Sensing Satellite (SRSS-1) blasted off from the Taiyuan Launch Center in China’s Shanxi province. This satellite, built by the Chinese for the Sudanese government, will be used for both civilian and military purposes.
Next month, China will launch a similar satellite but this time for the Ethiopian government.
In just the past 12-18 months, the Chinese have announced space initiatives with Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Namibia and Kenya among others.
While the Chinese are no doubt becoming a major player in the African space sector, they are by no means alone. In fact, whereas the Chinese dominate Africa’s terrestrial infrastructure development, that’s not the case in the space market where the Europeans, Americans, and Russians are also very active, according to Temidayo Oniosun, founder and Managing Director of the news and analysis website Space in Africa.
Temidayo joins Eric & Cobus to discuss China’s role in the burgeoning African space market.
Space in Africa Links:
- Website: africanews.space
- Twitter: @spaceinafrica1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spaceinafrica/
- Instagram: @spaceinafrica1
Show Notes:
- Quartz: Ethiopia is set to launch its first satellite into space—with China’s help by Abdi Latif Dahir
- Al Jazeera English: Sudan launches its first-ever satellite in partnership with China
- Space in Africa: China Completes Satellite TV Project In Malawi by Ogechi Onuoha
Temidayo Isaiah Oniosun is the Managing Director at Space in Africa. Temidayo is listed as one of the World 24 Under 24 Leaders and Innovators in SPACE and STEAM by The Mars Generation, one of the recipients of 35 Under 35 space industry recognition award by the International Institute of Space Commerce and by BellaNaija as one of the 25 under 25 Nigerians who are influencing and disrupting the world of Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Governance and Corporate World.
Temidayo was a Regional Coordinator (Africa) for Space Generation Advisory Council where he led African Students and Young Professionals in the creation of International Space Policy, ensuring their opinion is heard in key policymaking at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. As a YouthMappers fellow, he works to create and use open-source software for geographic information to address chronic development problems in countries where USAID works to end poverty. Earlier this year, he was featured by USAID for solving urban waste problem in one of the Nigerian cities using geospatial technologies.
