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Nigeria and Ghana leading Africa’s journey to space
As the US space programme loses momentum with the retirement of the space shuttle, those of Nigeria and Ghana and Nigeria are just taking off.
Nigeria founded its National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in 1999 with the intent of using and developing space technology that would translate into socio-economic benefits for the population at large. It launched its first satellite in 2003.
Nigeria has made great strides in satellite technology in the past decade with the establishment of NigComSat, an independent company charged with managing the commercial and business operations of communication satellites.
(More: Nigeria launches 2 new satellites into orbit, adding to satellite launched about 8 years ago)
Ghana is not far behind Nigeria in Africa’s space race.
In May, the country launched the Ghana Space Science and Technology Center (GSSTC) to plan programmes in space science and technology that directly relate to the development of the country.
(More: Ghana joins space industry – launches Space Science and Technology center)
Much like Nigeria, Ghana wants to use its space center to look at natural-resource management, weather forecasting, agriculture and national security.
