Despite being decades younger than its international peers, Africa is emerging as a globally competitive hub for space research, technology and development. This is according to a new report published by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.
The report is derived from learnings gathered during a recent knowledge exchange and industry engagement tour. Organised by Innovate UK through its Global Alliance Africa project with support from the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund and Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), the tour saw space sector experts from South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and other pan-African organisations visit several UK space industry companies and facilities.
Held in December 2023, the tour sought to identify, connect and provide a platform to discuss potential areas of innovation and commercial partnership between innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry enablers across both markets.
“From these engagements we found that while our two regions have distinct differences and advantages, there is significant potential for collaboration across the whole space-technology value chain. This ranges from upstream opportunities in rocket launch and component manufacturing, to downstream applications focusing on Earth Observation, as well as industry support services in the fields of investment, insurance, and skills training and development,” says Alana Kruger, Knowledge Transfer Manager for South Africa at Innovate UK Business Connect and author of the report.
The report highlights South Africa’s world-class design capabilities currently housed within the country’s start-ups, which supply sophisticated and mission-specific components to satellite manufacturers globally. Similarly, Kenya and Rwanda emerge as African leaders within the sector, with the Kenyan Government’s support for industry being recognised as amongst the most proactive across the continent.
Also recognised in the report is the need for higher-profile policy exchanges among African nations and with the UK. Knowledge sharing between policymakers would help shape the development of space strategies across the continent, with a platform for regular discussion also helping industry officials navigate obstacles to trade and collaboration.
With Africa’s space industry rooted in academic institutions like the Universities of Stellenbosch and Kwa-Zulu Natal, the report also identifies that collaboration with UK-based researchers would enhance the quality of space-related research and development on the continent, with access to global knowledge helping African talent and young professionals expand their expertise.
Access the full report here.
Background on Innovate UK and Global Alliance Africa:
Innovate UK is the national innovation agency of the UK Government and part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
Global Alliance Africa is a six-year project funded by UK International Development through Innovate UK (via GCRF) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It aims to forge stronger UK-African partnerships and enhance bilateral market access, funding, and investment opportunities through innovation and knowledge exchange between the UK, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
For more information, go to: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/programme/africa/