African Countries to Spend $800 Million on Space Projects in 2026

 African countries will collectively allocate over $800 million to space projects in 2026, the Financial Times reports.

Nearly 20 African nations already have satellites in orbit, with several more countries developing their own space programs. Last year, the African Union (AU) established the African Space Agency to coordinate projects and facilitate the exchange of expertise.

Satellites are used for data collection on weather, agriculture, water resources, forest fires, and other phenomena. Botswana and Uganda use them for mineral exploration and drought and fire early warning, Angola for communication with remote areas, and Djibouti for monitoring water reserves.

"This is primarily an economic issue," said Senegalese space program head Gayane Faye.

Purchasing satellite imagery from major Western companies can be costly, and for states under US or EU sanctions, access may be restricted.

The Financial Times adds that the development of Africa's space industry has accelerated due to the proliferation of nanosatellites — small and relatively inexpensive devices. Their cost can be around $50,000. Such technologies allow countries to build their own expertise without the expense of costly projects.

In April, Zimbabwe's Minister of Higher Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Frederick Shava, announced that the country would launch a new satellite in partnership with Russian state corporation Roscosmos.