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
Powering Africa’s science through stronger councils
Strengthening national science granting councils is emerging as one of the most effective pathways for improving how African countries finance and govern science for development. This was the focus of the thematic session on Financing Science for Impact held during the Science Forum South Africa…
Councils seek solutions to research financing crisis
African countries are working to strengthen research quality, ethical practice, and grant management through the Research Excellence and Good Financial Grant Practices Workshop. The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), together with the Association of African Universities and Senegal’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation,…
Innovation awards boost Côte d’Ivoire’s national research drive
The Fund for Science, Technology and Innovation (FONSTI) opened the audition phase for the FONSTI Innovation Prize 2025, marking a decisive moment in a process launched earlier this year to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s innovation ecosystem. The auditions follow the official launch of the inaugural Innovation…
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



