• Botswana declares March 15 National Space Day after first satellite launch

• African countries expanding satellite programs for mapping, communications, services

• Africa’s space economy could reach $39.5 billion by 2030

Africa’s space programmes are expanding rapidly as more countries invest in satellite technology and space-enabled services, with Botswana marking the first anniversary of its first satellite by declaring March 15 a National Space Day.

Botswana announced on March 15, 2026 that the date would be observed annually to commemorate the launch of BOTSAT-1, exactly one year after the satellite was sent into orbit on March 15, 2025 in collaboration with SpaceX.

The milestone reflects broader expansion of space activities across Africa, where governments are developing satellite programmes to support mapping, communications, environmental monitoring and geospatial services.

Several countries already operate satellites or are expanding their capabilities. Nigeria runs multiple Earth-observation and communications satellites through the National Space Research and Development Agency, including NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X used for mapping, disaster monitoring and security applications.

South Africa has developed a strong space sector supported by the South African National Space Agency and a growing private aerospace industry. Its Earth-observation satellite EOSAT-1 was launched in 2022 to support agriculture, forestry and environmental monitoring.

Egypt has expanded its programme with satellites such as EgyptSat-2 and the creation of the Egyptian Space Agency, alongside construction of the African Space Agency headquarters in Cairo.

Other countries are also entering the sector. Ghana launched GhanaSat-1 in 2017 through a university-led project. Kenya launched its first satellite in 2018 and has since developed additional Earth-observation missions, while Rwanda has invested in satellite technology through partnerships aimed at improving connectivity and environmental monitoring.

According to the African Space Industry Annual Report published by Space in Africa, African countries launched about 65 satellites between 1998 and 2025, with additional missions under development.

The report estimates the African space economy was valued at $24.95 billion in 2024 and could reach $39.5 billion by 2030, driven by demand for satellite-enabled services including telecommunications, navigation, broadcasting and geospatial data.

Satellite services underpin several industries across the continent. Location-based services linked to navigation systems, satellite television and Earth-observation data account for a large share of sector revenue and are increasingly used in areas ranging from agriculture to urban planning.

African governments are also increasing public investment. In 2024, countries across the continent allocated about $465 million to national space programmes, according to Space in Africa.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang