Abuja: The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged other African nations and the continent’s business community to capitalize on opportunities within the space ecosystem. Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, highlighted this initiative during the opening of the second edition of the African Space Economy Conference and Exhibition (ASEC) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, hosted by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in partnership with the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), focuses on the theme ‘Space Economy and Emerging Markets in Africa.’ Nnaji emphasized that the space economy has transitioned from a specialized scientific domain to a key driver of global progress, impacting areas such as climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, and national security.
“Africa has a critical role in this transformation and by embracing space technologies, we can enhance weather forecasting, resource management, healthcare delivery, digital connectivity, delivering real benefits to communities across the continent,” said Nnaji. He stressed the importance of collaboration, stating that no single nation can fully realize the potential of the space economy alone. Strengthening public-private partnerships, international alliances, and regional cooperation are vital for sharing knowledge, developing infrastructure, and building collective capacity.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of ACCI, noted that Nigeria’s space ecosystem could potentially contribute around one billion dollars to the country’s GDP by the late 2020s, with the private sector expected to account for 700 to 800 million dollars of that contribution. By 2035, projections indicate that Nigeria’s broader business ecosystem could benefit from an annual value of 15 to 25 billion dollars across various critical sectors.
Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director-General of NASRDA, explained that the space economy involves the commercialization of space, transforming research findings and innovations into market-ready products and services. This includes the development of satellites, launch vehicles, Earth observation tools, and space-based applications that drive different sectors of the economy.
Adepoju noted the growing investment in satellite technologies and new space research centers, as well as increased collaboration between government institutions and emerging private actors. He highlighted NASRDA’s Ground Station-As-A-Service (GSaaS) initiative, which allows satellite operators to access ground station infrastructure without substantial capital investments, thereby lowering entry barriers for industries such as telecommunications and environmental monitoring.
Dr. Kyari Mohammed, representing Dr. Ahmed Hamdy, Executive Director of the African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission (AUSTRC), emphasized the need for African collaboration to achieve strategic autonomy, climate resilience, and disaster management. He advocated for integrating space into national development plans, creating local ecosystems for innovation, and supporting youth and women in space science.
Private sector organizations also echoed the call for strong collaboration to build a resilient space ecosystem in Africa.
