By: Nana Appiah
Acquaye
The
second edition of the African Space Solutions Market (MASS) has officially
opened at the Abidjan Port-Bouët Exhibition Centre, bringing together
stakeholders from government, industry, academia and the wider space ecosystem
to explore how space technologies can accelerate Africa’s socio-economic
transformation.
Held
under the theme “Space for Development: Accelerate Africa’s Socio-Economic
Transformation,” the event was officially opened by Hyacinthe Séka, Technical
Advisor at the Ministry of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, who
represented the Minister Djibril Ouattara.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony, Séka described space solutions as practical tools that
use space-based data, infrastructure and services to address challenges on
Earth, stressing that the sector has become increasingly important in improving
everyday life and supporting development efforts.
“Space
solutions can be defined in concrete terms as the use of data, infrastructure
and services from space to respond to terrestrial challenges. It is a means at
the service of everyday life. This Market is much more than an event: it is a
factory of African solutions, a space where the future of our continent is
taking shape,” he
said.
Séka
highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s National Strategy for the Development of Digital
Technology, noting that space solutions form part of the country’s broader
digital transformation agenda. The strategy focuses on seven key pillars,
including connectivity and infrastructure, digital transformation of public
administration, technological innovation, artificial intelligence adoption,
cybersecurity and digital trust, digital skills development, and the
revitalisation of postal and e-commerce ecosystems.
The
representative of the Assembly of Regions and Districts of Côte d’Ivoire
(ARDCI), N’Guessan Lataille, emphasised the role of space technologies in
supporting territorial development and strengthening public decision-making.
He
noted that spatial data has become an essential resource for improving local
governance, enhancing territorial planning, preventing natural disasters and
supporting the security and management of regions and autonomous districts
across Côte d’Ivoire.
Lataille
said local authorities are committed to integrating space solutions into public
policies, local development strategies and decision-making processes, while
calling for stronger partnerships between governments, universities, research
institutions, innovative companies, space agencies and international
organisations.
The
three-day MASS event serves as a platform for showcasing African space
innovations, fostering collaboration and promoting the use of space
technologies as drivers of sustainable development across the continent.
