Skip to content

Salon

NewSpace in Africa

Take-Off Flight to Innovation, Exploration, Transformation

NewSpace in Africa

October 18, 2023

Space Congress, Berlin

With a new space agency and an upcoming space port on the continent, the African space industry is capturing global attention. Its growth holds promise for international cooperation, making Africa an indispensable partner in the global space race. As part of the Space Congress, we discuss the motivation behind the increasing commitment in the African space industry and explore how a joint effort between Europe and Africa can mutually benefit the neighboring continents.

Discussion Points

  • Strong Momentum

    Being the continent of innovation and leapfrogging, Africa has a choice in whom to partner with. The continent is already deeply engaged in space activities, though not in a classical sense, through launch sites and rockets. Rather, “NewSpace in Africa is about data and AI”, says Martin Polak.

  • Human Capital

    The abundant resources of the African continent are still underutilized. One of which is human capital. By 2030, 42 percent of global youth will be African. Accordingly, NewSpace should be leveraged with this growing, digital affine population on the continent.

  • Co-Development

    NewSpace is a corner stone for socio-economic development. It can function as an equalizer as it offers opportunity for both, emerging market economies as well as advanced economies. Therefore, collaboration and moving together in co-development are key. Aaron Nzau says: „We don’t want a donor-recipient relationship of the past. We want to be part of the puzzle.”

  • OldSpace vs. NewSpace

    NewSpace is a reflection of ‘Old Space’, meaning there is risk of already established countries “becoming monopolists in space technology and innovation”, warns Kwaku Sumah. Thus, innovation should be responsible. Economic benefit, social value and prestige as well as the capability and the ease with which benefit is expressed need to be considered.

A more equitable future in space
In conversation with Kwaku Sumah

NewSpace in Africa - Take-Off Flight to Innovation, Exploration, Transformation

Dialogue on European-African cooperation at BDI Space Congress

"At events like this, you can feel the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. There is a huge opportunity for us here.“
Wolfgang Niedermark
Member of the Executive Board of BDI, at our Salon "NewSpace in Africa"
"We explore the universe not just because we are curious, but because it is a mirror of who we are.“
Dr. Timiebi Aganaba
Senior Global Futures Scientist, Arizona State University, at our Salon "NewSpace in Africa"
"New Space is a huge opportunity for cooperation with Europe. We view it as a corner stone for our socioeconomic development.“
H.E. Igor César
Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda , at our Salon "NewSpace in Africa"
„We have to see what human capital there is in order to be able to scale it for the global perspective.“
Aaron Nzau 
Founder & CEO, SayariLabs, at our Salon "NewSpace in Africa"
„NewSpace in Africa is not only about rockets and launch sites, it is about data and AI.“
Martin Polak
Senior Director, Planet Labs Germany GmbH, at our Salon "NewSpace in Africa"
„Launching your own satellites communicates that this is something that can have an outside impact.“
Kwaku Sumah
Founder & Managing Partner, Spacehubs Africa, at our Salon "NewSpace in Africa"

Contact Persons

Rhoda Berger, r.berger@globalperspectives.org

Sabrina Rupprecht, s.rupprecht@globalperspectives.org

Supported by

Planet Labs

BDI Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie

Salon

Continuous dialogue creates awareness for the urgent questions of our time. In salons, renowned experts open the discussion with our selected guests from business, politics and society.

Program Archive

Salon
Financing Africa's Future
Berlin Global Dialogue

We explored current trends and developments in Africa's financial sector and discussed the actions needed by businesses and governments to improve the financial landscape on the continent.

Publications
Germany and the New South
Voices, Insights, Expectations

The distribution of power in the international system is changing. We interviewed 10 experts from the so-called 'Global South' to get their insight into their perception of Germany's role.

Salon
Africa's Creative Pulse
Local Impact, Global Reach

Africa's creative industries are booming and changing the global cultural landscape. We discussed the growing industry with Nollywood director Funke Akindele and writer Lola Shoneyin.

Digital Salon
Global Perspectives on: Women's Health
How to Join Forces to Advance Women’s Economic Power

Investments in women's health are threatened by budget cuts and anti-gender movements. In our webinar, we discussed innovative strategies to drive progress in our digital dialogue.

Circle
Her Health, Our Wealth
Elevating Family Planning & Women’s Health to boost the African Economy

The inequalities in the global health system have a significant impact on the financial situation of women. We discussed economic growth through equal opportunities.

Circle
Rethinking Germany’s Global Engagement amid Conflict and the Climate Crisis
Value-Driven Foreign and Aid Policy

Together with David Miliband, CEO & President of IRC, and selected stakeholders from politics, business, academia, we discussed Germany's responsibilities in an international system in crisis.

Circle
Discussing Development Policies in a Multipolar World
Background Discussion with Anna Bjerde

In conversation with Anna Bjerde and other representatives from politics, business, and academia, we discussed efforts in fostering sustainable development.

Publications
The Africa Roundtable N°6
Action Recommendations

The African continent has the potential to become the global agriculture powerhouse. The action recommendations of the sixth conference.

Publications
The Role of New Technology in Advancing African Agri-Food Systems
Discussion Paper

The research paper on new technologies and innovation in the African agricultural sector was issued on the occasion of The Africa Roundtable “Growing Africa's Future” 2024 in Berlin.

Newsletter Sign-up

Sign up to the Global Perspectives Initiative's newsletter and stay up to date on our program. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Global Perspectives Initiative
Friedrichstraße 217
10969 Berlin

office@globalperspectives.org
+49 (0) 30 55 57 80 530

Global Perspectives Initiative is a non-profit and independent platform based in Berlin, Germany. Global Perspectives works towards enhanced engagement and responsibility for sustainable development by German and European decision-makers and aims to strengthen African perspectives in policymaking.

To this end, Global Perspectives regularly brings together decision- makers from politics, business, civil society, academia and media to discuss new approaches, provide new impulses and raise awareness on the common opportunities and challenges the two neighboring continents are facing.

©2024 Global Perspectives Initiative gemeinnützige UG (haftungsbeschränkt)