Space technology has the potential to transform agriculture, strengthen disaster preparedness and accelerate economic growth across Africa, according to Prof. Amare Abebe, Director of the Centre for Space Research (CSR) at North-West University (NWU) and President of the African Astronomical Society.
Prof. Abebe said Africa already has access to satellite technologies capable of improving food security, climate resilience, disaster management and digital connectivity. However, he noted that the continent must now focus on building the skills, institutions and infrastructure needed to turn satellite data into practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
His remarks come as African countries continue to increase investment in space science while strengthening collaboration between governments, universities and the private sector.
The growing interest in the sector was evident during the Second African Space Solutions Market, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from July 7 to 9, where policymakers, researchers and industry leaders explored how space technologies can support economic development, food security, climate adaptation and disaster risk management.
Satellites Can Improve Farming and Disaster Preparedness
Prof. Abebe explained that Earth observation satellites provide governments and communities with real-time information on rainfall, soil moisture, vegetation health and crop conditions, enabling better agricultural planning and early warning of drought.
“Earth observation satellites give us continuous, continent-wide data on rainfall, soil moisture, vegetation health and crop conditions, allowing early warning of drought and better planning of agricultural seasons,” he said.
He added that the same technologies are increasingly being used for flood mapping, wildfire monitoring and disaster response, while satellite communication systems are expanding access to education, financial services and internet connectivity in remote communities where conventional infrastructure remains limited.
Despite these opportunities, Prof. Abebe believes Africa’s biggest challenge is not access to space technology but the ability to translate satellite data into practical decisions that benefit communities.
“The challenge for Africa is less about access to space technology than about building the capacity to turn space data into decisions on the ground,” he noted.
Local Collaboration Is Key
According to Prof. Abebe, South Africa has laid a strong foundation for space science through investments in research infrastructure and partnerships between universities and government institutions. However, he emphasized that meaningful impact will only be achieved if technological solutions are developed alongside the communities that will use them.
“Applications must be developed with the end users “whether farmers, municipalities or disaster management agencies” rather than handed down to them,” he said.
He also highlighted the important role universities play in training the next generation of scientists and engineers needed to grow Africa’s space industry.
At North-West University’s Centre for Space Research, postgraduate students receive advanced training in space physics and astrophysics while contributing to research conducted through institutions such as the South African National Space Agency and the Square Kilometre Array, working alongside researchers from across Africa and beyond.
Space Sector Offers Significant Employment Opportunities
Prof. Abebe said Africa’s greatest employment opportunities lie not in building satellites, but in developing applications that make use of space-generated data.
“The downstream sector “meaning the applications built on space data rather than the satellites themselves” is where most African jobs will be created,” he explained. “The barrier to entry is a laptop and skills, not a launch vehicle.”
He encouraged young Africans interested in the sector to build strong foundations in mathematics, physics, engineering and computer science while developing programming, data analysis and teamwork skills required in international research environments.
Investing in African Innovation
Reflecting on the growing number of continental space initiatives, Prof. Abebe said platforms such as the African Space Solutions Market are helping connect African innovators with governments and investors, reducing the time it takes to move ideas from research to practical implementation.
He urged African governments to invest in technologies developed on the continent, arguing that locally designed and manufactured space technologies would build expertise, support innovation, create high-value jobs and produce solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges.
Prof. Abebe also called for stronger continental cooperation through institutions such as the African Space Agency and the African Astronomical Society, stressing that shared data, infrastructure and expertise would maximize the impact of national investments.
“The framework is largely in place; the task now is consistent implementation and funding. If we get that right, space becomes not a symbol of ambition but an engine of it,” he said.
