The Acting Director-General of the Regional Africa Satellite
Communication Organization (RASCOM), Timothy Adi Ashong, has expressed his
appreciation for the recently released 2023 edition of the Africa Space
Industry Annual Report, describing it as very insightful.
The report, published by Space in Africa, predicts that the African
space and satellite economy will reach a value of USD 22.6 billion by 2026.
In a comment on Techreview Africa's official LinkedIn page, Ashong
stressed the importance of collaboration among African space and satellite
industry players, adding that there is much to be accomplished in the African
Satcom market.
The report, which was released in the third quarter of this year,
highlights the significant progress made by African countries in the space
industry, including impressive growth in Africa's space economy in 2022.
The report's projection of the African space economy surpassing the USD
20 billion mark by 2026 serves as an inspiring call to action for collaboration
that will pave the way for sustainable growth and technological innovation,
transforming lives and economies across the continent.
With initiatives like the African Union's African
Space Policy and Strategy gaining traction, a collaborative framework for
knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and capacity building is being
established, fostering an environment conducive to sustainable growth.
While the projection itself is inspiring, it's
important to remember that realizing this potential requires concerted efforts.
The challenges are multifaceted, ranging from regulatory frameworks and
spectrum allocation to technology transfer and skills development. It is
through collaborative endeavors that these hurdles can be addressed
effectively, ensuring that the projected growth becomes a reality that
transforms lives and economies.
By Kanto Okanta