While it may not be commonly known, the African space sector is continuously growing, but not at the same rate as its Western rivals. Nonetheless, the increase is becoming more noticeable.
According to consultancy firm Space Hubs Africa, the continent will have successfully launched at least 52 satellites by the end of 2022.
The continent even has an ambitious plan to more than increase the number of satellites sent into Earth’s orbit during the next several years.
From the northern reaches of Egypt to the southern tip of South Africa, these heavenly emissaries not only improve telecommunications and weather forecasting, but they also serve important roles in monitoring agricultural patterns, tracking climate change, and promoting educational and research opportunities.
According to the Africa Space Industry Annual Report, 125 new satellites are planned for development in 23 African countries by 2025, as activity in the continent’s space sector picks up dramatically.
The worldwide space economy is worth approximately $469 billion, whereas the African space sector, which was valued at $19.49 billion in 2021, is expected to rise by 16.16% to $22.64 billion by 2026.
The following are the five African countries with the most satellites in space:
| Rank | Country | Number of satellites |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 12 |
| 2 | Egypt | 10 |
| 3 | Algeria | 6 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 6 |
| 5 | Morocco | 3 |
