SGCI News

Africa’s space sector, while valued at US$22.64 billion in 2024, is still in its early stages—but scientists say it holds significant promise for addressing some of the continent’s development issues….

Africa’s space sector, while valued at US$22.64 billion in 2024, is still in its early stages—but scientists say it holds significant promise for addressing some of the continent’s development issues.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki explores how space research and innovation are being used across the continent.

Mary Makuate, a researcher at Cameroon’s Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, shares insights from her experience using satellite data to develop digital maps for the humanitarian response to the 2023 earthquake in Morocco.

Susan Murabana, CEO of The Travelling Telescope Africa Ltd, talks about her efforts to bring astronomy to underserved Kenyan communities.

Her mobile telescope initiative introduces students and local residents to space, aiming to spark interest in science and technology.

And Daniel Okoh, a research scientist at Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency, says Africa must strengthen its own space capabilities.

He tells us how global satellite models often underrepresent the continent, due to a lack of accurate local data, and calls for greater investment in homegrown technologies.

————————————————————————————————————

This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net
Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station
.





Categories



Related News

Rundu

Namibia project uses household data, smart meters to rethink water

In Namibia, having water nearby does not always mean having reliable water at home. In Rundu, a growing urban centre on the perennial Okavango River, households reported the highest level of water insecurity among three towns studied by researchers. The finding illustrates a wider challenge…

SGCI stakeholders

From commitment to action: why the 2026 All Partners Forum matters

When partners gather in Windhoek, Namibia, for the 2026 Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) All Partners Forum, they will meet at an important point in the evolution of Africa’s science, technology and innovation landscape. The Forum will be held from 28 September to 1 October…

SGCI Stakeholders

STISA-2034:Turning research into policy through knowledge uptake

Africa produces a growing body of research on the challenges shaping everyday life, yet a persistent gap remains between generating evidence and putting it to use. Research findings may be published in journals, presented at conferences and archived in institutional repositories, but too often they…

SGCI funded projects

agriculture on a farm

Rwanda’s integrated approach to sustainable agriculture and nutrition

Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Number of Projects being funded Project Duration Grant Amount In-Kind Distribution Council Collaboration with other councils