In a major move towards greater technological sovereignty, Senegal has just launched its first space satellite. Known as GAINDESAT-1A, it was developed by Senegalese scientists who’d trained at the University of Montpellier‘s Space Centre – something that serves as an important reminder that Africans who go and get degrees abroad in Europe, North America and other parts of the world can choose to come back to Africa and facilitate technology transfers and share know-how that will help to develop the continent.
Ever more African countries are working to develop satellites and launch them into space. There are currently plans for 125 new satellites from 23 African countries. These orbital friends will boost Africa’s Internet connectivity, telecommunications, agriculture, weather prediction and resource management.
Countries that are likely to launch satellites soon include Zambia, which has just completed a satellite station, and Burkina Faso, whose orbiter will be called ‘Burkina-Sat1.’ Namibia has just launched its Namibia Space Port programme to turn the country into a satellite hub. Botswana is planning its own satellite launch and Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan and Uganda are collaborating on a project known as the African Development Satellite.
Looks like our continent is taking ‘one giant leap for Africa-kind’ in the space race!
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