The African Space Race

Africa’s growing space program presents new political, economic, and security opportunities and challenges for the United States. The technology transfer process, access to technologies and data, and support for systems development have the potential to increase U.S. political influence vis-à-vis U.S. adversaries; bolster two-way trade and investment; and deepen national security ties between the United States and African partners. Africa’s space industry is projected to grow from $7 billion to over $10 billion in the next five years—presenting a significant opportunity for U.S.-Africa trade, which rested at a mere $33 billion in 2020. Furthermore, U.S. engagement in Africa’s space industry has the potential to translate into African support for U.S. positions on data-sharing, safety coordination, and other international space norms.

Please join the CSIS Africa Program and the CSIS Aerospace Security Project (ASP) for a public event on opportunities to advance commercial space systems in Africa, science and exploration, launch platforms, space norms, and multilateralism, as well as implications for global power competition. Dr. Monica Juma, Kenya's Defense Cabinet Secretary will provide opening remarks, followed by a panelist discussion featuring Todd Harrison (Aerospace Security Project),  Temidayo Oniosun (Space in Africa), and Julie Klinger (University of Delaware).

This event is made possible through generous support from Parsons.