The African International Space Ecosystem

Abstract

The states of Africa find themselves embedded within an international space ecosystem, which, in this chapter, is argued to consist of three closely related dimensions. These are intra-African space relations and activities, African participation in global space fora (with emphasis on the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UNCOPUOS), and the engagement with Africa by other global space actors. These are explored in turn, with various key intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations within the African continent explored first, followed by a ranking of the engagements of African states through the Intra-African Space Engagement Matrix. This provides a clear indication of which states lead in space engagements on the continent. Next, Africa’s participation in international fora beyond the continent is considered, with participation ranked via the International Space Engagement Matrix. Together, these matrices clearly identify African outliers in the space arena and enable the identification of Africa’s emerging space middle powers. Finally, key space-related activities, agreements, and initiatives of non-African actors on the continent are examined. This chapter therefore provides a comprehensive overview of space-related initiatives involving Africa and which African states are leading in this regard.