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 national space programmes; 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.
Through this course, participants will gain knowledge and insights into economics, public policy, law and governance, especially as pertains to the African space ecosystem.
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: A Primer on Outer Space and Satellites
Module 2: Space governance
Module 3: Africa and Space
Schedule
Jul 10: Introductory class
Jul 11: The Outer Space Environment
Jul 17: Africa, Pan-Africanism and the African Union (AU)
Jul 18: The African Outer Space Programme
Jul 23: Space Geopolitics
Jul 24: Systems, Concurrent and Collaborative Engineering
Jul 25: Drafting of Space Policy and Strategy
Jul 30: Effective Writing
Jul 31: Outer Space Treaties and Principles
Aug 1: Design of a Space Organisation
Aug 6: National Space Policies and Programmes
Aug 7: Africa’s Space Identity
Aug 8: The African Space Innovation Ecosystem
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
Develop knowledge and skills for leadership
Benefits of participation
Gain knowledge in space policymaking, law and governance
- Gain knowledge about African and international affairs
Earn a certificate in African Space Policy and Strategy
Become part of the ASLI Network
Facilitators
Meshack Ndiritu (Space Applications Training Officer, African Union Commission)
- Dr. Valanathan Munsami (Cofounder, ASLI; and former Chair of African Union Space Working Group, AUSWG)
Dr. Anastasia Gbem (Legal Adviser, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency)
- Dr. Youssef Moulane (Research Scientist, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco)
- Dr. Samuel Oyewole (Research Fellow, University of Pretoria, South Africa)
- Imraan Saloojee (Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability; and former member of AUSWG)
- Dr. Taiwo Tejumola (University of Southampton, UK)
- Natasha von Rooyen (Space consultant and analyst)
- Etim Offiong (Cofounder, ASLI; and former member of AUSWG)
Time
1-3pm GMT
Venue
Online portals
Registration
ZAR 4,100