African Outer Space Programme

Aim

The African Outer Space Flagship purposes to create a well-coordinated and integrated continental programme that is responsive to the social, economic, political and environmental needs of the continent, as well as being globally competitive. It also aims to develop a regulatory framework that supports the African space agenda and ensures that the continent is a responsible and peaceful user of outer space. The Arab Republic of Egypt will host the continental African Space Agency.

Progress to-date

• The African Union convenes annual space dialogues with African space actors, and in the process, two documents have been produced:

• Priority areas of implementation by the African Outer Space Programme; and

• Study on Structural and Financial implications for African Space Agency.

• Two of the four baseline studies were carried out for developing operational programmes and missions. The studies are:

• Comprehensive Study on African Private Sector in Earth Observation, Geospatial and Allied Technologies; and

• Gap Analysis Study on Navigation and Positioning in Africa.

• The African Earth Observation (EO) System was strengthened to improve management of the environment. This was undertaken through the Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security (GMES) & Africa programme.

Challenges

• Delays in consideration of the structural and financial implications of the African Space Agency.

Next Steps

• Facilitate accelerated consideration of structural and financial implications of the African Space Agency;

• Mobilise resources, including from the host country, for launching and subsequently implementing the African Space Agency;

• Support Member States, RECs and other institutions to operationalise the African Space Agency, including capacity building in areas such as earth observation; satellite communication, navigation and positioning, and space science and astronomy, as articulated in the African Space Policy and Strategy.