Ibadan, 10 May 2024. – The African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI) is organizing a colloquium series focusing on the African Outer Space Program. This forum comes as the African Union (AU) enters another phase of implementation of its continental space program: the operationalization of the African Space Agency (AfSA).
The colloquium series aims to convene the African and international space community, reflect on vital areas of space programs in Africa and provide insights on how best they can meet the developmental needs of Africa. The first colloquium, with the theme “Education, Skills Development and Workforce Engagement, for a Responsive, Competitive and Sustainable Space Program,” will hold virtually from 21-22 May 2024. Interested persons can learn more about the colloquium here and register for the first colloquium here.
The African Union (AU) has demonstrated that outer space is a priority for the continent. In January 2016, the AU adopted the African Space Policy and the African Space Strategy for policy and programmatic guidance. It established the African Space Agency (AfSA) in 2018, with Egypt as host. The African Space Council (ASC) has also been constituted, with oversight functions on the Agency.
Speaking about the Colloquium, ASLI Founder Etim Offiong explained, “It’s important to do a periodic review of the African Outer Space Program. This is even more pertinent now as the recently constituted Africa Space Council prepares to get the African Space Agency operational.” The Founder also added, “The success of the African continental space program depends on committed long-term investments in the acquisition of knowledge and expertise at national and continental levels. Our hope is that the colloquium will accelerate Africa’s pace.”
A public lecture by Driss El Hadani, Deputy Director, UNOOSA, at the graduation ceremony of the Global Space Policy course will also accompany the first Colloquium on 23 May. You can find details about the public lecture here.
