The space industry has seen significant developments in the past couple of years. It has become fully integrated into the everyday economy. It has transformed the lives of communities and helped the world move closer to globalisation. However, we have entered a new dispensation with its unknowns and uncertainties. At the same time, there is a clear need to deepen cooperation in the space sector, especially between the UK and African countries, for historical, socioeconomic and strategic reasons. It is for these reasons that the UK Space Agency (UKSA) in collaboration with the African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI) is organising the 3rd UK-Africa Space Partnership Forum, during the UK Space Conference from 16-17 July 2025, in Manchester, UK. The Forum is the third in a series of engagements between the UK and Africa space sectors. 

The first Africa-UK Space Partnership Roundtable, with the theme “Exploring Potential Opportunities for Africa-UK Space Cooperation,” was held in November 2023. Lead discussants were:

• Dr Tidiane Ouattara (President, African Space Council)
• Prof Massimiliano Vasile (Director, Aerospace Center of Excellence, University of Strathclyde, UK)
• Dr Zolana Joao (General Manager, Angolan National Space Program Management Office)
• Prof Paul Baki (Technical University, Kenya)
• Prof Sa’id Mosteshar (Director, London Institute of Space Policy and Law, UK)
• Clen Cook (Director, Anza Capital)

The second UK-Africa Space Partnership Roundtable, with the theme “Towards a Framework for Africa-UK Space Partnership,” was held in November 2024. It had two keynote addresses from Dr Paul Bates (CEO,  UK Space Agency) and Amb. Mohammed Maidugu (Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK). There were three panels addressing policy and governance; industry growth & partnerships; and academic & research partnerships respectively. Panelists were:

• Prof Sherif Sedky (CEO, Egyptian Space Agency)
• Aidan Darker (Head, African Science and Innovation Network, British High Commission in Pretoria)
• Brig Hillary Kipkosgey (CEO, Kenyan Space Agency)
• Dr Zolana Joao (General Manager, Angolan National Space Program Management Office)
• Jessica Fell (Head of International Relations, UK Space Agency)
• Janusha Singh (CEO, ZASpace Inc., South Africa)
• Will Lecky (Cofounder, know.space)
• Charles Mwangi (Ag. Director, Space Applications and Utilisation Directorate, Kenyan Space Agency)
• Alana Kruger (Knowledge Transfer Manager, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network)
• Prof Mike Brooks (Director, Aerospace Systems Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) 
• Anushka Sharma (SPAN Liaison Manager, Space Academic Network, UK)
• Prof. Lazarus Ojigi (Executive Director, African Regional Institute for Geospatial Information Science and Technology, Nigeria)
• Dr Sunday Popoola (Imperial College, London)
• Dr. Vasilis Myrgiotis. (UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)

The forthcoming Forum will build on the discussions of the previous roundtables as we begin to concretise/formalise the partnership. Participants will also participate in the UK Space Conference, Exhibitions and other side activities.

The theme of the roundtable is “UK-Africa Space Partnership: New Opportunities in a Changing Global Era.” It will consist of keynote addresses and two panel discussions. The first panel, with the sub-theme “Cooperating for Space Security and Sustainability” is aimed at enhancing global space security, governance and sustainability. It will discuss how UK-Africa space cooperation can adapt to the evolving dynamics of global geopolitics, while also strengthening space security, governance and sustainability.

The second panel, with the sub-theme “Cooperating for Innovation, Growth and Development” will focus on industry and academic partnerships. It will explore how development agendas could be attained through partnerships, at regional and country levels. It will also explore how both regions can collaborate on research, technological development and applications, particularly in climate change mitigation and disaster response.

Participants of the Forum will also participate in organised tours as well as the UK Space Conference and Exhibition.