President Paul Kagame says Rwanda is seeking to build a stronger role in Africa’s growing space sector, as advances in technology and falling costs create new opportunities for countries to use space services for development.
Kagame was speaking Thursday, September 10, in Paris during the International Space Summit, which brought together government leaders, scientists, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the future of the space industry.
Rwanda has already begun developing capacity in the sector, including through the Rwanda Space Agency, established in 2020 to coordinate the country’s space activities and promote the use of space-based technologies for development.
The country’s first satellite, RWASAT-1, was launched in 2019 through a partnership involving the University of Tokyo and the Government of Japan. The project also helped Rwanda develop local skills in satellite technology.
Kagame said Rwanda is using space technology and artificial intelligence in areas including agriculture, infrastructure and disaster management.
“Today, we use space technology and artificial intelligence to advance agriculture, infrastructure, disaster management and other key sectors,” he said.
He said Rwanda’s involvement also extends to infrastructure that supports space service providers and contributes to building capacity in the region.
But Kagame said Africa needs to move beyond using technologies developed elsewhere and take part in shaping the future of the industry.
“The space economy is evolving rapidly, driven by lower costs, new technologies, and greater private-sector engagement. Africa intends to be a full participant in this growth, not only as a user of space capabilities, but also as a contributor to science, research, and global decision-making,” he said.
He said the continent’s young and increasingly connected population provides an opportunity to develop the skills and businesses needed to benefit from the sector.
Kagame also pointed to growing competition for orbital positions and communication frequencies as more satellites are deployed.
He said Rwanda, together with other partners, is supporting efforts by the African Telecommunications Union to recover space frequencies previously lost by the continent.
“This has shown that joint African initiatives can protect the continent’s interests and further strengthen its role in the space sector,” he said.
Kagame called for clear international rules and greater cooperation as the industry expands. He also warned that restricting access to space technology and knowledge could slow the development of countries that are still building their capacity.
“We must avoid recreating in space the inequalities that already exist in other sectors,” he said.
The summit was co-hosted by France and Germany and focused on the space economy, scientific exploration and the sustainable use of outer space.
