Publish: 14:47, 16 Feb, 2025

African leaders urged to accelerate development of space science and technology

Online Desk
African leaders urged to accelerate development of space science and technology
Photo - Collected

African countries have been urged to expedite concerted efforts in developing the continent’s human capital in space science and technology to harness its vast opportunities, reports the statesman.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the ongoing 38th African Union (AU) summit at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, President of the African Space Council of the African Space Agency Tidiane Ouattara said the African continent lacks the critical mass of expertise needed to fully leverage space science and technology.

Ouattara said the African Space Agency, a newly established independent organ of the AU, is tasked by African leaders with promoting the use of space science and technology by fostering continental collaboration and advancing relevant knowledge and skills.

“Creating local capacity is one of our strategic objectives. Since space science is relatively new in Africa, we have realized that we need to create a critical mass and increase the number of young people who are knowledgeable about space science,” Ouattara said.

Noting the crucial need to coordinate space programs, Ouattara said African countries can be classified into three groups based on their experience and engagement in the sector.

He said countries such as Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco are the pioneers in Africa’s space sector, while a number of newcomers are exerting efforts in the sector, including Ethiopia, Gabon, Rwanda, and Kenya, Xinhua news agency reported.

He, however, said the majority of African countries do not even have dedicated space policies and institutions.

“More than 60 per cent of Africa’s population is young, and they are our opportunities. If we train them well, we have the opportunity to use their capabilities for many kinds of space science applications, such as disaster risk reductions, climate change adaptation and mitigation, rural development, urban development, and others,” Ouattara said.

Acknowledging the absence of robust data-sharing practices and policy frameworks in Africa’s space sector, he stressed the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation to enable countries to benefit from data exchange mechanisms.

“We cannot develop the space without the partnership, both intra-African partnerships and partnerships with abroad,” he said.

Bd-pratidin English/ Afia

More News
Russia praises Trump for criticising Ukraine-NATO moves
Russia praises Trump for criticising Ukraine-NATO moves
Polio still circulating in Gaza, mass vaccination to resume: WHO
Polio still circulating in Gaza, mass vaccination to resume: WHO
Pakistan plans to expel entire Afghan refugee population: Afghan Embassy
Pakistan plans to expel entire Afghan refugee population: Afghan Embassy
Israel keeps denying entry of heavy machinery into Gaza
Israel keeps denying entry of heavy machinery into Gaza
$50bn needed to rebuild Gaza
$50bn needed to rebuild Gaza
Trump orders firing of all 'Biden-era' US attorneys
Trump orders firing of all 'Biden-era' US attorneys
Migrant groups report surge in racist attacks across German city
Migrant groups report surge in racist attacks across German city
Thousands rescued from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar
Thousands rescued from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar
Man jailed for attempted murder of Japan’s ex-PM
Man jailed for attempted murder of Japan’s ex-PM
'What would you have us do?': The plastic credits problem
'What would you have us do?': The plastic credits problem
Russia and US agree to work toward ending Ukraine war
Russia and US agree to work toward ending Ukraine war
Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs as tests show ‘complex picture’
Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs as tests show ‘complex picture’
Latest News
33 joint secretaries made OSD for role in 2018 nat’l election
33 joint secretaries made OSD for role in 2018 nat’l election
4 hours ago | National
CA to present Ekushey Padak Thursday
CA to present Ekushey Padak Thursday
5 hours ago | National
Diabetes no bar for Ramadan fasting: Doctors
Diabetes no bar for Ramadan fasting: Doctors
5 hours ago | Lifestyle
Russia praises Trump for criticising Ukraine-NATO moves
Russia praises Trump for criticising Ukraine-NATO moves
6 hours ago | International
DMP issues traffic guidelines for Feb 21
DMP issues traffic guidelines for Feb 21
6 hours ago | City
Polio still circulating in Gaza, mass vaccination to resume: WHO
Polio still circulating in Gaza, mass vaccination to resume: WHO
6 hours ago | International
Nahid hands over cheque of Tk 1.6 crore to Sramik Kallyan Foundation
Nahid hands over cheque of Tk 1.6 crore to Sramik Kallyan Foundation
6 hours ago | National
Kane says injury could keep him out against Frankfurt
Kane says injury could keep him out against Frankfurt
7 hours ago | Sports
Mother Language Day: CA releases commemorative postage stamp
Mother Language Day: CA releases commemorative postage stamp
7 hours ago | National
Security forces, AL men abused female protesters during July uprising: UN
Security forces, AL men abused female protesters during July uprising: UN
7 hours ago | National
Court freezes bank accounts of Nasrul, his wife
Court freezes bank accounts of Nasrul, his wife
7 hours ago | National
Nahid Rana out to make his first ICC event memorable
Nahid Rana out to make his first ICC event memorable
7 hours ago | Sports
KUET shuts down academics until Feb 28
KUET shuts down academics until Feb 28
8 hours ago | National
Alems should come forward for social reform
Alems should come forward for social reform
8 hours ago | National
Pakistan plans to expel entire Afghan refugee population: Afghan Embassy
Pakistan plans to expel entire Afghan refugee population: Afghan Embassy
9 hours ago | International
Bangladesh can beat anyone at Champions Trophy: Shanto
Bangladesh can beat anyone at Champions Trophy: Shanto
9 hours ago | Sports
Encroachment, pollution destroying water bodies: Advisor Farida
Encroachment, pollution destroying water bodies: Advisor Farida
9 hours ago | City
Israel keeps denying entry of heavy machinery into Gaza
Israel keeps denying entry of heavy machinery into Gaza
9 hours ago | International
ACC seizes 2 sacks likely containing corruption proofs against ex-IGP Shahidul
ACC seizes 2 sacks likely containing corruption proofs against ex-IGP Shahidul
9 hours ago | National
AL has destroyed country's electoral systems totally: Dulu
AL has destroyed country's electoral systems totally: Dulu
10 hours ago | National
New notes without Mujib’s portrait to be available in May
New notes without Mujib’s portrait to be available in May
10 hours ago | Business
No of single-window CLP crosses 100K: NBR
No of single-window CLP crosses 100K: NBR
10 hours ago | Business
Is being a morning person good for you? Here's what a new study says
Is being a morning person good for you? Here's what a new study says
10 hours ago | Lifestyle
$50bn needed to rebuild Gaza
$50bn needed to rebuild Gaza
10 hours ago | International
Khaleda Zia victimized of political harassment in Niko case: Judge
Khaleda Zia victimized of political harassment in Niko case: Judge
11 hours ago | National
Pakistan win toss, bowl against NZ in Champions Trophy opener
Pakistan win toss, bowl against NZ in Champions Trophy opener
11 hours ago | Sports
Trump orders firing of all 'Biden-era' US attorneys
Trump orders firing of all 'Biden-era' US attorneys
11 hours ago | International
Migrant groups report surge in racist attacks across German city
Migrant groups report surge in racist attacks across German city
11 hours ago | International
SP Tanvir Salehin on 7-day remand in murder case
SP Tanvir Salehin on 7-day remand in murder case
11 hours ago | National
Thousands rescued from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar
Thousands rescued from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar
11 hours ago | International
Most Read
'Zia Tree' flourishing in the heart of desert
'Zia Tree' flourishing in the heart of desert
15 hours ago | Special
Evidence found of looting in Tk855cr a2i project
Evidence found of looting in Tk855cr a2i project
16 hours ago | National
HSC exams will start on June 26
HSC exams will start on June 26
12 hours ago | National
How to drink retinol to look younger
How to drink retinol to look younger
12 hours ago | Lifestyle
Shafiqul Alam promoted to senior secretary
Shafiqul Alam promoted to senior secretary
18 hours ago | National
Can toothpaste play a role in anti-ageing?
Can toothpaste play a role in anti-ageing?
15 hours ago | Lifestyle
Attempts made to increase drug prices
Attempts made to increase drug prices
16 hours ago | Special
Neymar among the players protesting artificial turf pitches in Brazil
Neymar among the players protesting artificial turf pitches in Brazil
16 hours ago | Sports
AL must be eradicated, not just banned: Adviser Asif
AL must be eradicated, not just banned: Adviser Asif
13 hours ago | National
One phone setting can reverse 10 years of cognitive ageing
One phone setting can reverse 10 years of cognitive ageing
12 hours ago | Lifestyle
NASA says probability of "city-killer" asteroid impact in 2032 to 3.1%
NASA says probability of "city-killer" asteroid impact in 2032 to 3.1%
15 hours ago | Tech
Ctg Port introduces online gate pass to speed up operations
Ctg Port introduces online gate pass to speed up operations
16 hours ago | Business
Gitikobita Somogro: Shironamhin releases lyrics at Boi Mela
Gitikobita Somogro: Shironamhin releases lyrics at Boi Mela
16 hours ago | Entertainment
Anuv Jain surprises fans with marriage announcement to Hridi Narang
Anuv Jain surprises fans with marriage announcement to Hridi Narang
16 hours ago | Entertainment
Facebook to delete live broadcast recordings after 30 days
Facebook to delete live broadcast recordings after 30 days
15 hours ago | Tech
Rain likely in parts of Rangpur, Khulna: BMD
Rain likely in parts of Rangpur, Khulna: BMD
14 hours ago | National
Tenures of five reform commissions extended until March 31
Tenures of five reform commissions extended until March 31
18 hours ago | National
Dhaka tops world's worst air quality list
Dhaka tops world's worst air quality list
17 hours ago | City
No of single-window CLP crosses 100K: NBR
No of single-window CLP crosses 100K: NBR
10 hours ago | Business
Bangladesh can beat anyone at Champions Trophy: Shanto
Bangladesh can beat anyone at Champions Trophy: Shanto
9 hours ago | Sports
Nahid Rana out to make his first ICC event memorable
Nahid Rana out to make his first ICC event memorable
7 hours ago | Sports
Youth made their mark on global stage through uprising: Mahfuj
Youth made their mark on global stage through uprising: Mahfuj
16 hours ago | National
Alems should come forward for social reform
Alems should come forward for social reform
8 hours ago | National
China's 'Ne Zha 2' becomes highest-grossing animated film
China's 'Ne Zha 2' becomes highest-grossing animated film
17 hours ago | Entertainment
Dhaka welcomes Italian interest in modernising defence sector
Dhaka welcomes Italian interest in modernising defence sector
13 hours ago | National
Dost Dushman, Ammajan, Boli and Priyo Maloti to screen on final day
Dost Dushman, Ammajan, Boli and Priyo Maloti to screen on final day
15 hours ago | Entertainment
Ex-state minister placed on 5-day remand in murder case
Ex-state minister placed on 5-day remand in murder case
13 hours ago | National
Ponting backs Arshdeep as Bumrah’s replacement for Champions Trophy
Ponting backs Arshdeep as Bumrah’s replacement for Champions Trophy
15 hours ago | Sports
SpaceX makes history with Falcon 9 launch and booster landing in the Bahamas
SpaceX makes history with Falcon 9 launch and booster landing in the Bahamas
14 hours ago | Tech
How the brain has the power to switch off pain
How the brain has the power to switch off pain
13 hours ago | Lifestyle