Africa’s space race takes off {Business Africa}
Kenya’s shared space network cuts data costs
Africa is strengthening its ambitions in the space sector, with more countries launching satellites to support agriculture, climate monitoring, security and disaster management.
Yet a major challenge remains: how to access and process data efficiently and affordably.
At the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, SkyConnect unveiled a new model that connects unused satellite ground stations into a shared network, reducing costs and speeding up data transmission.
Described as the “Airbnb of ground stations,” the platform allows countries to monetize underutilized infrastructure while avoiding heavy upfront investments.
Nathan Juglar, one of the project leaders, says the no-CAPEX model could help African countries move away from reliance on foreign aid and become sovereign, profitable players in the global space economy.
The initiative could unlock practical benefits ranging from crop monitoring and food safety to environmental protection and early warning systems.
Mauritius transforms brain drain into brain gain
The brain drain continues to deprive many African countries of qualified professionals.
Maurice is pursuing a different strategy.
The island nation attracts talent from across Africa and positions itself as a hub for innovation, technology and high value-added services.
By combining political stability, favorable tax policies and a strong business environment, Mauritius is transforming itself into a destination for entrepreneurs, digital specialists and investors.
Its “brain gain” approach helps diversify the economy beyond tourism and build a modern services sector designed for long-term growth.
Juba youth are building a digital economy
In Juba, young entrepreneurs are leveraging digital tools to grow their businesses despite major obstacles.
Only about 13% of South Sudan’s population has access to the internet, representing one of the lowest connectivity rates in the world.
Conflict, inflation and lack of infrastructure continue to weigh heavily on the economy.
Yet a new generation of merchants and innovators are using mobile phones, social media and digital payments to create revenue opportunities.
Their efforts are helping to build a resilient and fast-growing digital economy in South Sudan’s capital.
