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.
Related News
Africa needs stronger agricultural research to secure its food future
Africa has made important gains in agricultural production over the past decades, yet millions of people across the continent continue to face food insecurity, malnutrition and the growing impacts of climate change. Population growth, declining soil fertility, emerging pests and diseases, water scarcity, and fragmented…
Closing Africa’s research management capacity gap
Across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, institutions are increasingly able to attract research funding, but far fewer are equipped to manage it. One of the key challenges facing research systems across the continent is ensuring that effective governance, financial management, monitoring, and evaluation processes support funding…
STISA 2034 Call: Health research stream
Africa has made significant progress in improving health outcomes over the past two decades. Yet the continent continues to face complex and interconnected health challenges, from infectious disease outbreaks and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases to the health impacts of climate change, rapid urbanisation…
Research and Resources
SGCI funded projects
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



