Several African countries have their satellites, some of which serve critical functions in agriculture, climate monitoring, communications, and disaster response.
Earlier this week, a massive object fell from the sky into a Kenyan village, and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has confirmed it as a “fragment of a space object.” The KSA revealed that the debris measures approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet) in diameter and weighs around 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds).
This event raises some questions: How many African countries possess space objects? While the African space industry may not be as widely recognized or advanced as those in Western countries, it is steadily expanding, and more African nations are increasingly using space technology to address key challenges.
Several African countries have their satellites, some of which serve critical functions in agriculture, climate monitoring, communications, and disaster response.
As of the end of 2022, the continent had successfully launched at least 52 satellites, according to the consulting firm Space Hubs Africa. The continent even has an ambitious plan to more than triple the number of satellites sent into the Earth’s orbit over the next few years.
According to the Africa Space Industry Annual Report, 125 new satellites have been lined up for development in 23 African countries by 2025, as activities in the continent’s space market heat up significantly.
The global space economy is worth about $469 billion, while the African space industry, valued at $19.49 billion in 2021, is projected to grow by 16.16% to $22.64 billion by 2026.
Below are African countries with the highest number of satellites in orbit:
| Rank | Country | Number of satellites |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
South Africa |
13 |
|
2 |
Egypt |
13 |
|
3 |
Nigeria |
7 |
|
4 |
Algeria |
6 |
|
5 |
Morocco |
3 |
|
6 |
Kenya |
3 |
