As President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio settle into their roles, the administration’s priorities for the coming years are coming into focus. Trump has laid out an ambitious vision for America in space, speaking of a “manifest destiny” that extends “into the stars,” with plans to send astronauts to plant the American flag on Mars. Meanwhile, Rubio’s agenda at the State Department emphasizes an America that is safer, stronger and more prosperous.
This vision dovetails perfectly with an opportunity for increased United States-African collaboration in space. While Trump’s sights are set on celestial bodies like the moon and Mars, the practical implications of space technology are profoundly grounded on Earth, where it’s vital for economic and strategic gains in countries, including those in Africa.
Enhanced U.S.-African space cooperation promises mutual benefits, particularly in addressing Africa’s most critical challenges: its digital divide and food insecurity.
It’s time for Africa to get connected
For most Americans, internet access is a given, integral to daily activities like work, banking, education, healthcare and communication. However, in Africa, only about 36% of the population is connected, highlighting a significant digital divide.
The U.S. has a unique opportunity to leverage space technology to bring Africa online. Companies like SpaceX with its Starlink service have begun this effort, providing satellite internet in various African nations. Yet, despite the growth in Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite users globally, these services have not fully reached the most disconnected regions due to the prohibitive costs of both equipment and subscriptions for many local communities.
To make a real impact, U.S. tech companies must adapt their strategies to fit Africa’s unique socio-economic landscape, focusing on affordability and local infrastructure compatibility. For example, Africans often benefit from pay-as-you-go or tiered prices, meaning pricing structures are better matched to the income levels in the various demographics. Jumia, founded in Nigeria and now the leading e-commerce platform in Africa also known as the “Amazon of Africa” offers products at various price points to cater to the different levels of consumers. M-KOPA customers now operating in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa can pay daily or weekly as part of their pay-as-you-go services to own cell phones, access digital services and help progress towards financial goals. America’s Google in January 2024 launched the Johannesburg cloud region in South Africa to allow businesses in the area access to high-performance, secure and low-latency cloud services. Then later in 2024, Google announced Digicloud Africa as its chosen reseller enablement partner in Africa to create an ecosystem of Google Cloud partners across Africa. Such adaptations not only unlock new markets for American businesses but also support U.S. foreign policy objectives in Africa, centered around digital inclusion, security and economic growth.
Enhanced connectivity through space technology can significantly improve communication infrastructure, making Africa a more attractive destination for American investment and business expansion. There’s a clear demand for U.S. expertise in satellite manufacturing, launch services and data analytics.
Successful models already exist across the continent, including Angola’s Connect Angola project with ANGOSAT-2, Rwanda’s Smart City broadband initiatives and South Africa’s efforts through Sentech and SANSA. These projects illustrate how satellite technology can deliver crucial services like education and healthcare to underserved areas.
U.S. companies can foster additional and deeper partnerships by: providing cutting-edge satellite technology tailored to African needs; investing in ground infrastructure to complement satellite solutions; and co-developing satellite-based applications for sectors like mining, energy and agriculture, which are fundamental to African economies. We are already starting to see this in certain African countries like Rwanda where the Rwandan Space Agency partnered in February 2023 with America’s ATLAS Space Operations to expand its network of global ground stations.
Harnessing U.S. space technology for food security in Africa
Like connectivity, access to food is often taken for granted in the U.S. But the United Nations highlights a stark contrast in Africa, where 20.4% of the population faces hunger — the highest rate globally. If current trends persist, this figure could double, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
Earth observation satellites offer a powerful tool to address this challenge by monitoring crop health, soil conditions and weather patterns — all information that’s vital for agricultural success. This technology is particularly impactful in Africa, where agriculture is central to many national economies.
The U.S. has already started to engage with African nations in this field, promoting sustainable agricultural practices through space technology. A compelling example is the Angolan Drought Management System, a NASA-funded project with MIT and Angolan collaborators. This initiative uses satellite data to integrate soil moisture information with socio-economic data, improving decision-making for climate resilience and food security.
Investment from the U.S. in African agriculture not only drives innovation but also opens new markets for American companies, while advancing agro-technology. The incorporation of advanced technologies like AI, satellite data and enhanced communication systems into agricultural decision-making tools can revolutionize the sector. These advancements aim to boost sustainability, productivity, resilience, and profitability, thereby significantly reducing food insecurity in Africa and fostering international technological and developmental partnerships.
Moreover, by tapping into Africa’s vast agricultural potential, these collaborations can stabilize global food supply chains, potentially lowering food price volatility worldwide. This stabilization benefits not just African communities but also impacts food availability and pricing for American consumers.
The risks of inaction on U.S.-Africa collaboration
Failure to enhance connectivity and cooperate on food security with Africa could have dire consequences for America. Malnutrition and health crises originating in Africa could become global issues, directly threatening both international health security and U.S. national security.
Moreover, without adequate employment and food security, political instability often occurs, which can lead to increased migration. In 2023, the number of Africans apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border surged to 58,462 from 13,406 the previous year, highlighting a significant uptick in migration pressures driven by insecurity back home and the pull factor of a better life in America.
When migration isn’t an option, conflict might be the next resort. This can manifest as extremism or terrorism, potentially necessitating costly U.S. military interventions in Africa to maintain stability.
Further, enhanced U.S.-Africa cooperation in space technology, especially satellite surveillance, could serve multiple strategic interests. Satellites could monitor military movements, rebel activities, or terrorist threats, as well as track climate change, natural disasters and illegal activities like piracy in strategic maritime routes where U.S. interests lie. This cooperation could bolster maritime security and environmental protection, thereby aligning with broader U.S. security objectives.
The math checks out
Doing the math, the above facts mean more U.S.-Africa space cooperation would produce a stronger, safer and more prosperous America.
Greater U.S.-Africa space relations would foster stability, enhancing cooperation in diplomatic and security matters, and would counter adverse foreign influences. It will open new markets for increased trade. This engagement also aligns with broader American objectives of promoting stability, prosperity and leadership on a global scale.
Yes, Africa has its challenges like most: infrastructure hurdles, political ups and downs, and economic volitively. However, there are success stories as well, and it’s time to change the narrative around foreign investments. This isn’t aid; it’s about mutual growth. It’s time to see Africa not just as a challenge, but as a landscape of opportunity for American innovation and investment.
As Trump alluded to, America is the world’s technological leader and must remain so. By assisting Africa in its space ambitions, the U.S. continues to lead in global governance issues on Earth and in space, ensuring that American standards, technologies and values are an integral part of the international community.
Scott Firsing, PhD is a U.S.-Africa expert and President of Scott Sky Advisors, a global aviation and aerospace consultancy based in Austin, Texas USA. Dr Firsing is also a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue in Pretoria South Africa associated with UNISA.
Zolana João, D.Eng., is the first General Manager of Angola’s National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN). He serves as the Vice Chair for Africa for ITSO, a research affiliate with MIT’s Space Enabled Research Group, and a co-founder of Arusha Space.
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