By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Italian Space
Agency (ASI) have announced a new partnership aimed at advancing the
development of space law frameworks in Africa, as part of broader efforts to
support the continent’s growing participation in the global space economy.
The
initiative will be implemented through a Regional Space Law Technical Advisory
Mission scheduled for November in Malindi, Kenya, and will form part of
UNOOSA’s Global Space Law Project. The mission is expected to bring together
policymakers and experts from across Africa to strengthen national legal and
regulatory frameworks governing space activities.
According
to the two organisations, the programme will focus on translating international
space law obligations into national legislation, supporting regulatory
development, and enhancing regional cooperation among African space actors.
The
collaboration comes at a time when the global space economy is projected to
reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, with increasing participation from emerging
economies. However, officials warned that rapid expansion of space activity
also raises concerns around orbital congestion, sustainability, and security,
underscoring the need for robust legal frameworks.
UNOOSA
noted that countries with well-developed space legislation are better
positioned to attract investment, regulate space activities effectively, and
participate in the global space economy in a sustainable manner.
The
November mission will be hosted at the Luigi Broglio Space Center on the Kenyan
coast, a facility with a long history of space cooperation and
capacity-building initiatives in the region.
UNOOSA
Director Aarti Holla-Maini said the initiative reflects the importance of
ensuring that space law enables equitable participation in the space economy,
adding that the agency’s advisory missions have helped several states establish
space agencies and strengthen regulatory systems.
ASI
President Teodoro Valente emphasized Italy’s commitment to supporting Africa’s
space sector, noting that space law is essential for responsible and
sustainable use of outer space resources and technologies.
UNOOSA
stated that demand for its technical advisory services continues to grow as
more countries seek to develop or refine their national space frameworks in
alignment with international standards.
