About the Course
In 2012, the African Union (AU) established the African Union Space Working Group (AUSWG) to among other things, develop the African Space Policy and Strategy, as part of efforts towards the formalisation of the African Outer Space Programme. These documents were completed and adopted by African Heads of States and Governments in January 2016.
The documents provide a framework for Africa’s space priorities, programmes and partnerships. The African Space Agency (AfSA), with headquarters in Egypt, was then established in 2018, to implement the African outer space programme. In 2024, the African Space Council (ASC) was constituted.
This course is a thorough examination of Africa’s space sector and ecosystem, within the context of the global space economy. It contains lectures and discussions on the conceptualisation, drafting process and content analysis of the African Space Policy and Strategy; adoption and implementation of the continental space programme; and the African space innovation ecosystem. These are examined within the context of the present and future international space governance system and global space economy. Selected national space policies and programmes are also examined as well as the commercial ecosystem.
Through this course, participants will gain knowledge and insights into economics, public policy, law and governance, especially as pertains to the space sector.
The course will be facilitated by experts including former members of the AUSWG and staff of the African Union Commission (AUC).
The course modules and content are designed to accommodate participants from different academic and professional backgrounds. Live sessions take place virtually for the convenience of the participants. Also, there are non-live interactive sessions.
Structure
Module 1: General Module
Module 2: A Primer on Outer Space and Space Systems
Module 3: Africa and Space
Module 4: Space Governance
Expected learning outcomes
Appreciate Africa’s history and heritage
- Understand the African Union, its structure and operations
Understand the nexus between space policy development and socioeconomic development
Learn principles and application of space policy, strategy, law and governance
Understand the African space ecosystem
Benefits of participation
Gain knowledge in space policymaking, law and governance
- Gain knowledge in space business and organisation
Earn a certificate in African Space Policy and Strategy
Become part of the ASLI Network
Facilitators
Prof. Babatunde Fagbayibo (Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Dr. Anastasia Gbem (Executive Director, Human Resources, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency)
- Kwaku Sumah (Founder, Spacehubs Africa)
- Dr. Valanathan Munsami (Chief of Science, Saudi Space Agency and Cofounder, ASLI)
- Dr. Samuel Oyewole (Research Fellow, University of Pretoria, South Africa)
- Dr. Adrian Tiplady (Deputy Managing Director, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory)
- Dr. Taiwo Tejumola (University of Southampton, UK)
- Dr. Ekundayo Babatunde (Faculty of Law, Kola Daisi University, Nigeria)
- Etim Offiong (Co-founder, ASLI)
Time
13h00 GMT on Thursdays and Fridays
Venue
Ediify online learning portal
For more information, please contact info@aslispace.org