President Paul Kagame has called for Africa to play a greater role in the global space sector, saying the continent should move beyond using space technology to actively participate in research, science, decision-making and industrial development.
Kagame made the remarks in Paris during an international space summit that brought together heads of state and government, senior officials, experts and private-sector representatives from around the world.
He said falling costs, new technologies and increased private-sector investment are driving rapid growth in the space industry and creating opportunities for Africa to strengthen its position.
“Africa is an important partner in space. We use space, but we should also participate in science, research and decision-making,” Kagame said.
He highlighted Africa’s large and increasingly tech-savvy youth population as a key asset that could help the continent build capacity and capture greater value from the growing space economy.
“If we give our young people the right support and connect them to the knowledge, industries and institutions they need, we can increase Africa’s value,” he said.
Kagame said Rwanda has made space technology and artificial intelligence part of its national development priorities, with the technologies being applied in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and disaster management.
“In Rwanda, this ambition is reflected in national policies aimed at promoting investment and innovation,” he said.
The President also called for African countries and other developing nations to have a stronger voice in shaping the laws and regulations governing space activities.
He warned that the rapid pace of technological development should be matched by clear and inclusive regulations that protect citizens’ interests and prevent new inequalities from emerging in the space sector.
Kagame urged France, Europe and other international partners to deepen cooperation with Africa in space science and technology so that the sector’s opportunities can be more widely shared across the continent.
Rwanda established the Rwanda Space Agency in 2020 as part of efforts to develop national capacity in space science and technology.
In 2025, the country opened a ground station in Rwamagana and has outlined plans to launch another satellite.
The Rwamagana ground station was also certified by the International Teleport Association in June, becoming the first facility of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa to receive the certification.
