Authored by Miguel Ugochukwu Peters
A Night Under the African Sky
I will never forget the evening I sat with a group of young students in a rural community far from the city lights of the state capital, Uyo, during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days in Akwa-Ibom, a state in southern Nigeria.
As we gazed at the Milky Way stretching across the heavens like a celestial river, one of them, a 15-year-old boy named Effiong, turned to me and asked, “Do you think Africa will ever touch the stars?” His question was not just about curiosity—it was a plea for hope, opportunity, and a place in a future that often feels out of reach.
That moment crystallized my belief: Africa cannot afford to be a spectator in the global space technology race. The stars are not a luxury; they are a ladder to solving our most pressing challenges. For Effiong and millions like him, space technology is not about escapism—it’s about empowerment.
The African Context: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Africa’s struggles are well-documented: climate crises displacing communities, erratic rainfall patterns devastating smallholder farmers, and preventable diseases claiming lives due to inadequate infrastructure. Yet, these challenges are precisely why space technology matters.
Take agriculture, which employs 60% of Africa’s workforce. Satellite data can predict droughts, monitor soil health, and optimize irrigation.
In Kenya, various initiatives are utilizing satellite technology to improve agricultural productivity. This technology provides farmers with real-time insights into crop health, soil moisture levels, and potential pest infestations, which can increase agricultural productivity. Similarly, Rwanda’s collaboration with the Japanese Aerospace Agency (JAXA) leverages satellite data to combat landslides, saving lives in vulnerable communities.
Space tech is not a distant dream—it’s a practical toolkit for survival.
Economic Liberation: Jobs, Innovation, and Global Partnerships
Critics argue, “Why invest in space when we have roads to build and hospitals to staff?” But this mindset overlooks the ripple effects of space innovation. The global space economy is projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2040. Africa, with its youthful population and untapped potential, must claim its share.
Consider Nigeria’s journey. Since launching NigeriaSat-1 in 2003, the country has reduced disaster response times, improved urban planning, and even inspired a generation of engineers. Startups like Farmerline in Ghana are using satellite technology to provide agricultural services and support to smallholder farmers. At the same time, South Africa’s Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope has positioned the continent as a hub for astronomical research.
At the African Circular Business Alliance (ACBA), we are pioneering project DRAGON—a bold initiative dedicated to advancing Africa’s leadership in cutting-edge circular technologies. DRAGON, which stands for Drones & Robotics, Advanced Grids, and Orbital Networks, serves as a catalyst for three transformative goals:
- Regional Connectivity: Enhancing communication networks through satellite and telecom infrastructure to bridge the digital divide.
- Innovation: Deploying drones and robotics for precision agriculture, advanced manufacturing, disaster response, and healthcare delivery in remote areas.
- Infrastructure Development: Building sustainable space-technology systems, such as clean-energy powered satellite hubs, to support smart cities and climate-resilient economies.
Imagine satellites and drones mapping deforestation in the Congo Basin in real time, or robotics systems recycling e-waste in Lagos into components for satellite hardware. This is the future DRAGON is designing—a future where circularity and space technology intersect to create jobs, reduce waste and cost, enhance efficiency, and uplift communities. A future where “Made in Africa” circular technologies guide sustainable development across the continent and the world—this is within our grasp.
Igniting the Spark: Youth, Education, and the Power of Imagination
Effiong’s question echoes in class and lecture rooms from Lagos to Johannesburg. Africa’s median age is 19, yet many young people grow up believing innovation happens “elsewhere.” Space technology can rewrite this narrative.
In 2019, 14-year-old South African Brittany Bull and 16-year-old Sesam Mngqengqiswa designed and built payloads for a satellite to measure agriculture metrics, as part of a project aimed at promoting STEM education for young women. Their story proves that when we invest in STEM education and mentorship, African youth don’t just participate—they lead.
Organizations like ACBA are partnering with universities, space institutions, and private space tech companies to advance space ecosystems for space-tech entrepreneurs. By fostering homegrown talent, we’re not just building satellites—we’re building confidence.
Collaboration Over Competition: The African Space Agency and Beyond
No single nation can conquer space alone. The African Union’s establishment of the African Space Agency (AfSA) in 2023 marks a turning point. Headquartered in Egypt, AfSA aims to unify fragmented efforts, pooling resources for continent-wide projects like the African Resource Management Satellite Constellation, following the approval of the African Space Agency Act in 2017.
But institutions alone aren’t enough. ACBA champions public-private partnerships, linking governments, startups, and global players. When Ethiopia launched its first satellite, ETRSS-1, in 2019, it collaborated with Chinese engineers—a model of South-South cooperation. Such alliances reduce costs, transfer skills, and accelerate progress.
The Cost of Inaction: Falling Behind in a Connected World
The risks of hesitation are profound. Without sovereign space capabilities, Africa remains dependent on foreign data—often outdated or inaccessible. During Mozambique’s Cyclone Idai in 2019, the disaster highlighted the importance of timely and localized disaster response efforts. While international satellite imagery was utilized to support response efforts, the devastating impact of the cyclone underscored the need for enhanced local capacity for disaster preparedness and response, including access to satellite imagery and analysis. For this reason, reliance on external assistance can be limiting, and investing in local capabilities can help reduce the risk of loss of life and property in the face of natural disasters.
Moreover, the digital divide widens. As the world advances toward 6G, AI, and quantum computing, Africa cannot afford to lag. Space technology underpins modern connectivity—from broadband satellites to GPS-enabled logistics. Without it, we risk perpetual underdevelopment.
If Africa does not join the space technology race, it risks economic, technological, and environmental setbacks. Dependence on foreign satellite data will hinder climate monitoring, disaster response, and security efforts. The lack of space-driven solutions will widen the digital divide, slow scientific progress, and reduce Africa’s influence in global policy and resource management. Additionally, missing out on space-tech applications in the circular economy will limit innovations in carbon emissions and waste tracking, smart cities, and sustainable industries. To secure economic growth, sustainability, and sovereignty, Africa must invest in space technology now.
A Call to Action: Crafting Africa’s Cosmic Destiny
To skeptics, I say: Africa has always been a cradle of innovation. Centuries ago, the Dogon people of Mali possessed a traditional knowledge of the Sirius star system, which included an understanding of its companion star, Sirius B, and its approximate 50-year orbital period, demonstrating a remarkable level of astronomical awareness for their time. Today, we stand on the shoulders of those ancestors, ready to reclaim our ingenuity.
Here’s how we begin:
- Invest in Education: Prioritize STEM curricula and fund scholarships for space studies.
- Support Local Innovators: Governments must create tax incentives for space startups.
- Democratize Data: Make satellite insights freely available in sectors such as agriculture, maritime and shipping, aviation, disaster response and recovery, security, environmental monitoring, and more.
- Think Circular: Align space projects with sustainability goals, ensuring tech serves people and planet, a significant global movement ACBA strongly champions.
Conclusion: For Effiong, and for Africa
When I met Effiong, I told him, “Africa will not just touch the stars—we will guide others to them.” The space race isn’t about vanity; it’s about sovereignty, dignity, and the audacity to solve our problems with our own hands.
The African proverb says, “The world is like a mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you cannot stand in one place.” This proverb is a wise and insightful saying that encourages us to be open-minded, adaptable, and willing to change our perspective in order to truly understand the world around us.
To move forward, our eyes must be on the skies but feet rooted in the soil of progress. Together, we’ll ensure that Effiong’s generation inherits an Africa that’s resilient, innovative, and unafraid to reach for the cosmos.
About the Author
Miguel Ugochukeu Peters, CEO of ACBA, is a visionary leader and a driving force in advancing the circular economy across Africa and beyond. With a deep commitment to sustainability, innovation, and economic transformation, he spearheads initiatives that integrate cutting-edge technologies—such as AI, space tech, renewable energy, smart agriculture technologies, advanced recycling, and more—into circular business models. Under his leadership, ACBA is pioneering innovative projects that not only promote resource efficiency and waste reduction but also create economic opportunities and technological advancements for a more resilient and self-sustaining Africa.
