Building Africa's Space Capability for Development
The African Space Foundation (ASF) is a non-governmental organisation created to support the aspirations of African countries to be active participants in the space enterprise, and to enrich Africa in its knowledge, contributions and use of space science and technology for its sustainable development.
The foundation was established to encourage African countries to contribute to and participate in the exploration, understanding and use of the space environment and its related assets to improve human life here on Earth. Its focus is “What is best for Africa and all its peoples.” Through this process, ASF will contribute to the transformation of Africa by evolving and sustaining a vision that can establish the groundwork for irreversible development
The African Space Foundation seeks to transform Africa into a continent with a vibrant knowledge of space science and technology, through:
A total engagement with science and technology, the critical foundation of the space enterprise, and
The development of infrastructures that are sustainable and adequate to meet the needs of its people and those of its international challenges and obligations
Space enterprise affects our daily lives and will continue to have a significant and increasing impact on economic redistribution here on Earth. Thus, the African Space Foundation shall encourage African countries to partner with themselves as well as with appropriate entities within the global community and be active participants in the exploration and use of the space environment for the benefit of the African people.
To accomplish its vision and mission, the African Space Foundation will utilise the copious knowledge and rich experience of the wide array of talented space and non-space experts (Africans and friends of Africa), available to it both in Africa and globally, to focus on the following:
(i) Awareness and knowledge generation and acquisition:-
ASF seeks to inspire African countries to:
Recognise the role of space science and technology (SST) in the development process,
Understand that SST is a field of human endeavour that should be undertaken, not after the problems here on Earth have been resolved, but that it could significantly contribute to the solution of these human problems, and to
Generate and acquire requisite knowledge in space through centred education, research and development efforts that are adequate to address the social, economic and strategic development needs of Africa;
(ii) Public and private investment in infrastructure and organisation:
ASF will encourage and engage African countries and their citizens to pursue tailored public and private investments in relevant science and technology infrastructure, including the evolution of collaborative organizational arrangements open to all participants; and
(iii) Dissemination and application of knowledge:
ASF will facilitate the adoption and application of pertinent new and emerging space technologies that will rapidly connect and inform communities that are presently isolated in order to raise the living standards and unleash the creative potential and imagination of all Africans.