Frangton Chiyemura is a Senior Lecturer in International Development at The Open University’s Development Policy and Practice Group, holding a PhD in International Development and Inclusive Innovation. His work is centrally focused on the political economy of space infrastructure development in Africa, with particular attention to how external financing shapes the continent’s emerging space sector. His current research examines China’s role in financing and developing space infrastructure projects across African countries, exploring the motivations and drivers behind these investments, the unique modalities of China-Africa engagement, and the extent to which such projects contribute to inclusive development and structural economic transformation. This positions him at the forefront of a critical and underexplored area of African development policy: how space infrastructure investments intersect with questions of sovereignty, economic growth, and technological leapfrogging in the Global South. Frangton’s broader research agenda on Chinese-backed critical infrastructure in Africa, spanning renewable energy, telecommunications, and transport, further informs his understanding of how African states and non-state actors negotiate, shape, and influence large-scale infrastructure partnerships. He brings this lens directly to the study of space as a strategic development frontier for the continent.
Elvis Cosmos is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a member of the Aerospace Committee of the East Africa Law Society. He has taught space law at Strathmore University Law School since 2023 and coached students for the 34th Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition 2025. The students represented the African continent at the world finals in Sydney, Australia. In 2023, he served as an ILINA Fellow at the inaugural ILINA Program where he developed an introductory workshop on outer space governance and the long-termism theory for undergraduate students. Outside the space field, he uses his legal expertise for pro bono and legal aid work for vulnerable communities in Kenya.
Ian Elly Ssali Kiggundu is a Legal Specialist focusing on space law, cross-border regulation and ESG compliance. He has worked with start-ups and companies in the space sector, supporting legal and regulatory matters related to commercial space activities. Ian has also gained professional experience with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Linklaters. He currently works at the intersection of law, innovation, and the aerospace sector, with a particular interest in responsible governance, commercial space activities, and the sustainable development of the global space economy. He is the author of “On the Legal Framework of Orbital Space Stations and the Privatisation of Space Law,” which examines the evolving legal framework governing commercial space activities.
Felistus Macharia has engaged with multiple space startups across different niches, including youth-led ventures, gaining insight into the evolving dynamics of Africa’s space ecosystem. With the rapid evolution of the NewSpace ecosystem and the increasing commercialisation of space, her interests have expanded into understanding how Africa can strategically navigate this shift. In particular, she explores how regional specialisation can be leveraged to build a more sustainable and integrated African space ecosystem. This includes examining the policy frameworks, governance structures, and collaborative models required to support complementary regional strengths, while ensuring that space-driven growth translates into meaningful socio-economic impact across communities and regions.
Sesha Nyanga is a development practitioner and policy professional working at the intersection of economic coordination, industrialisation, and strategic sector development across Africa. Sesha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Botswana and a Master of Arts in Governance and Regional Integration from the Pan African University Institute of Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences (PAUGHSS). Her research and advocacy span trade policy, economic diversification, competitiveness, and youth empowerment. Sesha’s interests extend to emerging and strategic sectors, including space, where she focuses on the role of policy in strengthening data sovereignty, enabling innovation ecosystems, and positioning African economies within a reconverging global order. She brings a forward-looking perspective on how coordinated policy frameworks can unlock new pathways for economic transformation and regional integration. As a Policy Fellow at the African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI), she is focused on shaping policy discourse and contributing to initiatives that advance Africa’s competitiveness in frontier sectors while reinforcing the institutional foundations required for long-term development.
Khafayat Yetunde Olatinwo is an Associate Professor of Law at Kwara State University, Nigeria. With over a decade of academic and policy-oriented experience, her work focuses on space security, legal regimes governing outer space activities and dispute resolution mechanisms for space-related conflicts. Her research critically engages issues of equity, sustainability and access within the global space order with particular attention to the position of emerging space nations in Africa. She currently leads and contributes to policy-oriented research projects aimed at articulating strategic frameworks for Nigeria’s space policy and advancing Africa’s participation in the global space economy. She serves as Vice-President of the Space Law and Arbitration Association and she is a member of the International Institute of Space Law.
Mary Okoth is a GIS Specialist, Climate Activist, and Environmental Policy Analyst with strong expertise in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and spatial data management. She applies geospatial technologies to address complex environmental and climate challenges, translating scientific data into actionable insights for policy and decision-making. Her work sits at the intersection of science and policy, advancing climate resilience, sustainable land management, and ecosystem conservation. As a youth climate advocate and emerging voice in global environmental diplomacy, she engages in climate negotiations, policy development, and community-centered approaches to adaptation and mitigation. Mary is particularly interested in leveraging space-based technologies and Earth observation to inform decision-making and strengthen policy frameworks.