Launching Africa: Space Exploration, Innovation and Business
Working Discussion 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. Led by subject-matter experts and leaders of today (and tomorrow), these moments of collaborative discussions form the basis of recommendations for the space & science sector.
Delegates are assigned to one of 4 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 Law and Policy
Space law and policy for innovative and sustainable development in Africa.
Description:
The growth of the global space sector in the last 20 years, spurred by the competitiveness of telecommunications and defence industries, has led to a shift from a state-centric, geopolitically-motivated mode of space innovation, to a private commercial focus. With the latest surge in innovative space applications, especially in satellite and launch technology, governments and civil society alike are starting to see the potential to harness this technology to focus on national priorities and solve problems. To achieve this, a high degree of cooperation will be required between governments, industry and civil society.
The space law & policy working group looks at policies that give effect to this movement, and the need to adapt to accommodate this new paradigm. Participants in this working group will consider the case of Mauritius and develop a pathway to a potential space legislation and policy. Delegates would be encouraged to learn from this experience and conduct similar studies for their own regions and countries, as appropriate.
Key points to consider:
- What role does the international law play in the jurisdiction of space and space related activities in Africa.
- Status of the Mauritian space sector – past, present and future outlook
- Legislations and policies needed to encourage the participation for both public & private sector – need, purpose & benefits
- Factors to be taken into consideration when legislating
- Strategies through which national space programmes might cooperate with civil society to perform or fund relevant space applications & business opportunities
- Role of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in supporting the community in Mauritius and Africa for such advancement
Further Reading:
Subject-Matter Expert: Ms Anoushka Murday
Moderator: TBC
Rapporteur: TBC
Working Group 2: Space Business and Entrepreneurship
Leveraging the value chains in space business
Description:
As more countries continue to participate in the exploration of space and its attendant benefit in terms of infrastructure, it has become extremely important that Africa properly understands how to tailor its involvement in the industry towards the socio-economic development of the continent. The sector supports an ever-increasing range of downstream products and services across multiple users and markets; emphasizing the need to prepare towards leveraging the growing business opportunities in the industry.
And the recent emergence of nanosatellites and the overall reduction in prices regarding satellite components and launching facilities has enabled developing countries to gain access to space. The space business and entrepreneurship working group will focus on identifying value chains, learning and business opportunities and prospects to equip Africans with the necessary skills and knowledge for a development-oriented participation.
Key points to consider:
- What value chains can African countries explore for a better participation in the sector?
- How can satellite technology affect socio-economic development on the continent
- Collaborative learning opportunities that Africans can explore for an improved participation in the space sector like the BIRDs project with Ghana and Nigeria
- Why is space a business that African countries should invest in?
Further Reading:
- http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/psa/activities/2017/SouthAfrica/slides/Presentation74.pdf
- https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense/our-insights/perspectives-on-the-future-of-space-exploration
Subject-Matter Expert: TBC
Moderator: TBC
Rapporteur: TBC
Working Group 3: STEM Outreach and Role of Youth in the Development of the African Space Sector
Description:
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) form the foundation of space science and are critical to the economic development of Africa as a continent. Africa is endowed with an abundance of resources, including human resources, but lack of adequate attention to STEAM has lead to a reliance on external support to manage and utilize these resources that would propel Africa to a globally competitive level.
The young generation is a crucial factor in the progress and development of the space sector in Africa. Their talent, passion, new perspectives and their ability to cope better with the fast paced technology revolution could come up with innovative solutions and push the space industry forward in a continent with high youth population but limited financial resources. Additionally, the youth involvement in this field will define the future of the space sector at large.
This working group, therefore, explores opportunities available (particularly for the youth, women and marginalized groups) in STEAM for Africa and how space science and outreach activities can help Africa reach its full economic potential through incorporation of STEAM in the provision of solutions to the daily socio-economic problems of Africa.
Key Points to consider:
- How can space science play a role in STEAM education and outreach;
- At an early age
- Among disadvantaged groups in Africa (women, marginalized communities, physically challenged e.t.c).
- What role can the youth and groups such as SGAC play in making this possible?
- How can education and outreach in Space science be done to facilitate increased participation among the disadvantaged groups, what are the challenges and how can we bypass them? (This should cover the status, opportunities and challenges of Astronomy in Africa)
- Which are the key STEAM areas that Africa can prioritize/engage in to have a multidisciplinary approach to the development of the African space sector?
- How can we ensure steady supply of funding for the STEAM outreach?
Further Reading: TBA
Subject-Matter Expert: TBC
Moderator: TBC
Rapporteur: TBC
Working Group 4: Capacity Building and SDGs
Description:
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievability in the next one decade needs to be worked towards. Space technology applications stimulate economic growth; improves the social quality of life; and development of the environment, thereby bringing about sustainable development. In the space environment, earth observation is possible; scientists conduct experiments that are impossible to perform on earth; and several spin-offs for the earth’s market springs-up.
More concentrations will be made on SDG 3: “Good Health and Well-being”; SDG 4: “Quality Education”; SDG 8: “Decent Work and Economic Growth”; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; and SDG 17: “Partnerships to Achieve the Goal”.
African countries have, over the recent past, taken interest in cubesats as a resource in sustainable development of the continent. With great support and cooperation from international agencies including JAXA, UNOOSA, University of Rome and Kyushu institute of Technology among others, the continent has seen great advancement in the use of space technology in solving some of the most common challenges that African countries face. As a result, cubesats have evolved from a mere educational and new technologies validation tool to a useful data acquisition tool providing relevant information on the major challenges that the African continent is currently facing. Equipping students, young professionals and upcoming experts with the knowledge and experience they need to get acquainted with the design and development phases of space systems is key, particularly for the African continent in developing the capacity to resiliently face these challenges through the use of space technologies.
This working group will focus on how the continent can capitalize on the capacity building on cubesat development to attain the sustainable development goals and discuss and relate the space environment; and space technology applications to each of the SDG and how they will be made possible by 2030.
Key Points to consider:
- How can we build capacity development in Africa to localize training in this sector and make it more accessible locally.
- How can we ensure the data obtained from the satellites can be used effectively in curbing the common socio-economic problems affecting the continent, thereby attaining the Sustainable Development Goals
- Which goals will especially be effectively attained through the incorporation of smallsat technology and
Further Reading:
Subject-Matter Expert: TBC
Moderator: TBC
Rapporteur: TBC
