4th AF-SGW Working Groups
The African Space Generation Workshop (AF-SGW) topics play an integral role in providing invaluable insights about the space industry through working group discussions. Guided by a moderator, and advised by subject matter experts, delegates engage in collaborative discussions which form the basis of a report containing recommendations for the African space sector.
Delegates are assigned to one of 5 working groups geared towards tackling specific issues pertaining to the role of space in the African region. At the end of the AF-SGW, each group will have the opportunity to present their recommendations to the wider workshop audience.
Reports from all working groups are also compiled by rapporteurs and moderators and delivered to the SGAC Executive Team after thorough review. These reports are eventually presented to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) in the form of recommendations and included in the SGAC Annual Report.
Overall, the working group discussions ignite a pathway for business ideas, conference papers and research for matters related to space and produce recommendations to relevant public, private and non-governmental sectors, helping to shape the future of the African space industry.
Working Group 1: Space Governance
Space governance is a broad term that defines acceptable activities in outer space for the greater good of all. This working group will holistically examine international best practises and treaties that should be adopted by African countries as national and regional guidelines to regulate Space activities in the continent and ensure the peaceful uses of space by Africa and for the benefits of Africans.
Case Study: The application and role of international treaty law on state responsibility in outer space.
Working Group 2: Space Business and Entrepreneurship in Africa
The New space economy symbolises a wave of a global revolution that is set on transforming business trends in the space industry and making lives better for humanity, through space products and services. However, to what extent are African States creating a conducive environment for this economy to thrive in different countries across the continent? The Working group will analyse the feasibility of a thriving private space business sector in the Africa in the near future.
Case Study: The role of Public-Private Partnerships in the development of the African Newspace Industry.
Working Group 3: Big Data and Astronomy
History of astronomy has shown that every time technology evolves it also increases the amount of data to be handled by a factor of 10, without forgetting the data already produced which dates back to earlier century observations. This drives us to the era of Super-Massive Data, where we need more collaboration, better infrastructures and more people working to interpret the petabytes of data produced by the Space observations. The question to be asked then is whether all the conditions for sustainable development of Astronomy in Africa have been met? Is African Astronomy prepared to meet the global challenges imposed by Big Data?
Case Study:
The use of data from the Sentinel Satellite to determine the amount of flood damage after Hurricane Idai in Mozambique.
Working Group 4: Space Applications & Technologies to Support the SDGs
Space technology directly plays into the achievements of each of the 17 goals. Members of this working group will expound into this discussion by tracking how space tech has influenced the success of the global goals, and how to sustain and enhance progress. With new institutions such as the African Space Agency (AfSA), participants will discuss whether Africa is on track towards alleviating poverty, improving its healthcare and building its resilience? Does the ongoing works for the harmonization of the 2030 Agenda and the African Union 2063 Agenda is taking into account Space Contribution?
Case Study:
Spatial data as a tool for sustainable development in Ghana and Africa
Working Group 5: The Role of Space Tech in a post-COVID 19 Africa
As of 30 July 2020, Africa has recorded 754,390 COVID-19 cases. The COVID pandemic has exposed the deteriorating state of Africa’s healthcare facilities, plunged millions of informal sector labour force into extreme poverty, and has reversed the development milestones achieved in recent years by African states. Recovering from this global catastrophe will take years, and a V-shaped economic recovery is not envisioned for most African countries in the absence of a clear post-COVID strategy for Africa. How then can space-tech be used for fostering economic recovery in Africa after the pandemic has passed?
Case Study:
Space science & technology as a tool for regional integration in a post-covid Africa.