Abstract
Most African countries are beginning to embrace the role space science and technology play in our everyday lives considering the potential it has in proffering solutions to some of the challenges being faced on the continent and the ability it has to foster development, growth and innovation in so many ways. However, space access and assets for African countries with satellites in space were attained mostly with the help of other countries outside the African continent while incorporating little indigenous input in the process. This article examines the role indigenous space capabilities can play in promoting development in Africa at a period the global community is heading towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Space 4.0. It also explores the experience of advanced space faring nations and the contributions space science and technology programmes have made on their development. Lessons learned could be adapted for development of local and regional space capabilities within the African continent to aid advancement of space technology and contribute to economic growth of the continent in general. Also discussed are the role of capacity building and partnerships through relevant institutions that could facilitate this process.
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Anih, S. (2020). Building Indigenous Space Capabilities as a Launchpad for Technological Advancement in Africa. In: Froehlich, A. (eds) Space Fostering African Societies. Southern Space Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32930-3_8
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