African Space Policy: Towards Social, Political and Economic Integration

Abstract

Africa’s Aspirations for the upcoming 50 years and as stated in the Agenda 2063 reflect Africans’ desire for shared prosperity and well-being, for unity and integration, and for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth, boys and girls are realized, and with freedom from fear, disease and want. Realizing the seven aspirations of the Agenda 2063 requires focus on addressing Africa’s current development issues and challenges specifically with respect to its economic pillars that are agriculture, natural and water resources, energy, blue economy and digital infrastructure. Moreover in Africa, we continue to be confronted with challenges of climate change and variability, natural and anthropogenic disasters and environmental degradation, which have negatively impacted agricultural production, economic productivity and socio-economic infrastructures. These and other pressing realities facing the continent prompted the African Union to formulate the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (STISA 2024), which is an important intervention for using science, technology and innovation to respond to the key priorities of the continent and realize Africa’s aspirations. On January 31, 2016, the African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the first African Space Policy and Strategy as one of the key mechanisms for implementing STISA 2024. It is clear that space science and technology is an important tool for ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and the creation of high-technology industrial sectors. Furthermore, it makes a considerable contribution to the creation of enabling environments for addressing a wide range of pressing challenges, including the need to create jobs, reduce poverty, manage resources sustainably, and develop rural areas. A formal space sector will assist Africa to realise the vision of a peaceful, integrated, and prosperous continent. It therefore gives me great pleasure to introduce the African Space Policy, which is the first in a set of instruments that will help us to formalise Africa’s space programme. This policy provides the guiding principles for a sustainable and fully effective space programme that will serve the needs of the African continent.