• Mauritania plans a national nanosatellite program to develop sovereign space capabilities and boost digital services nationwide.
• The initiative aims to include low Earth orbit satellites, ground infrastructure, and local skill transfer for design, production, and operation.
• Africa’s space sector attracted $465.3 million in 2024, with 18 countries launching 67 satellites, highlighting growing regional investment opportunities.

Mauritania’s government intends to develop a national space program focused on nanosatellites to strengthen sovereign capabilities and support overall economic development. Officials said the initiative aims to raise the country’s regional and international profile in space technologies. The plan comes as the African space market reached an estimated $22.6 billion in 2024, according to Space in Africa.

Ahmed Salem Ould Abode, Minister of Digital Transformation, held a high-level meeting on September 29 to review the project. In a statement on the ministry’s Facebook page, he said the program will deploy one or more low Earth orbit nanosatellites and build essential ground infrastructure for satellite control and operations. The government said it will also transfer skills to national experts to enable satellite design, manufacturing, and operation.

“The program will include strategic missions for security, surveillance, and observation while expanding coverage to ensure digital service access nationwide,” the ministry added.

Several African nations have accelerated satellite investments, particularly nanosatellites. Senegal launched GAINDESAT-1A in August 2024, while Djibouti, Côte d’Ivoire, and Botswana recently deployed their own satellites. Space in Africa reported that the continent allocated $465.34 million to space initiatives in 2024.

Mauritania’s program remains in development, with no timeline disclosed for satellite launch or completion. Analysts cite continent-wide challenges, including lack of transparency, limited project efficiency, underutilized artificial intelligence, and insufficient alignment with users’ needs, which can reduce the effectiveness of some satellite solutions.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum