Analysis in brief: African nations are deploying space satellites in record numbers, thanks to inexpensive nanotechnology. Small but sophisticated, these African devices in Earth orbit are providing a wealth of data to enable their sponsoring countries to achieve their socio-economic goals.

As of 2025, 61 African satellites orbit the Earth. 30 years ago, there were none, even though satellites were already commonplace at that time for communications and data collection. Today, those same two functions are being utilised by 18 African countries, whose space programmes took a giant leap forward with the establishment of the African Space Agency (AfSA) on 20 April 2025.

The new agency aims to pool economic and technological resources to make Africa more competitive in the space race. At present, Africa’s 61 satellites barely register amid the mega-constellations from other continents. As of 8 June 2025, the Starlink system alone had 8 877 satellites in orbit, with 40 000 ultimately planned to be deployed in orbit. The cost of duplicating such a feat is beyond the capacity of Africa’s private sector. Consequently, Africa’s space programmes remain as government initiatives.

Africa’s satellite programmes also struggle with financing, given the pressing socio-economic needs of developing nations. However, the philosophy underscoring AfSA is that data obtained from satellites will facilitate socio-economic growth and is worth the investment. AfSA also allows African satellites to gain access to orbit slots, a highly competitive region of space, particularly valuable for the Q and V radio spectrum bands used in satellite communication. A study initiated in 2023 by the World Radiocommunications Conference seeks to ensure equitable access to orbital positioning for satellites from the lower income countries.

Satellites have provided data for national growth projects unobtainable by other means

Africa continues to grapple with the challenge of financing its satellite ambitions. The space agencies of North America, Europe and Asia have enjoyed a financial and technological head start for decades. However, Africa is serious about owning digital resources collected by its own satellites in orbit. The first African satellite was launched by Egypt in 1998, followed soon after by one from South Africa.

While some satellites remain large, nanotechnology has enabled shoebox-sized devices, powered by small solar panels, to be launched economically, often as a part of other micro-satellite launches. This development has allowed African nations to build their own satellites and rent space aboard European Space Agency (ESA) or other foreign launch vehicles.

The newly formed AfSA has already secured co-operation agreements with the ESA, the UAE Space Agency and Roscosmos (the Russian Federation’s space agency). These partnerships aim to offer African astronauts opportunities for space travel, experience and training with Russian cosmonauts.

Nevertheless, it is information collection through earth observation platforms like micro-satellites in geostationary positions above specific countries that most directly serves African nations’ development needs. Through photographic and sensory data, real-time information is applied to manage natural resources, detect animal migrations, monitor fisheries and locate mineral deposits using infrared and spectrum analysis technologies. While climate change threatens lives and livelihoods across the continent, its impact can be mitigated with data that forecasts flooding, rainfall patterns, droughts and other threats to agriculture. Earth observation data also identifies arable land, thereby boosting food security.

Managing the exorbitant costs of space work

There is no question that Africa faces significant disadvantages in its efforts to mount a competitive space programme. In 2025, African nations will spend a combined US$426-million on their space initiatives. In contrast, ESA member states will spend US$8.7-billion, while the US space agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, will spend US$25.4-billion.

Significantly, Africa’s space spending in 2025 is down nearly 8% from 2024 due in part to broader economic challenges. For example, Nigeria nearly doubled its space budget in 2025, only to find that depreciation of its currency (the naira) diminished its purchasing power with foreign suppliers. Nigeria will spend about US$60-million on space in 2025, which remains high compared to Angola’s US$5-million or Botswana’s US$2.4-million. As one of Africa’s pioneering space countries, Kenya is investing more than ever for its programme in 2025, yet its total space budget stands at just US$3.61-million – one-tenth of what the ESA charges for a single mission development and launch.

This is why advances in space technology provide such exciting news for Africa’s space ambitions. Miniature satellites can be developed at local universities, built by African engineers gaining essential skills and launched for as little as US$100 000 through the ESA. One of AfSA’s missions is to reduce costs through economies of scale, enabling countries to pool their financial and technical resources. Kenya, for instance, has the world’s only sea-based rocket launch platform, constructed by the Italian government in 1962, which may now be shared with other African countries and space firms through AfSA.

South Africa has thirteen satellites in orbit, more than any other African country. Its space agency, the South African National Space Agency, was established in 2010 to develop local space technologies and reduce the dependency on imports. On 3 December 2024, it launched a sub-orbital rocket to measure the Earth’s magnetic field from a new gantry at the Denel Overberg Test Range facility in Arniston. The launch pad will serve for future satellite launches and be made available for other nations.

South Africa has managed the high costs of space activities through public-private partnerships with firms like CubeSpace Satellite Systems, Pinkmatter Solutions, Newspace Systems and SCS Space. In so doing, it has addressed challenges whose solutions may benefit other African countries. Some solutions include collaborating with local tertiary institutions to cultivate a pool of space technologists, supporting private-sector space companies by partnering on missions and engaging in international collaboration on joint projects. These lessons learnt have already guided the development of AfSA.

The critical points:

• The establishment of AfSA in April 2025 is accelerating Africa’s satellite ambitions
• The 18 African countries currently operating satellites use them to gather data on natural resources, weather and agriculture, as well as other land use matters
• Although Africa lags behind on spending on space initiatives, it is benefitting from new space technologies and a growing base of homegrown space companies

Written by In on Africa