The Addis Space Diplomacy Forum IV convened policymakers, diplomats, and subject-matter experts in Addis Ababa to deliberate on Africa’s strategic engagement in global space governance during Session II of the program. Etim Offiong, Co-Founder of the Africa Space Leadership Institute, underscored the importance of achieving continental consensus on space participation, noting that Africa’s limited representation within international space governance mechanisms constrains its influence, and emphasizing the need for harmonized national and continental space policies aligned with Agenda 2063.
Dr. Yeshurun Alemayehu highlighted the disparity between Africa and other regions in space activities, observing that while the global community launches more than 2,000 satellites annually, Africa’s total satellite launches remain limited, and citing Ethiopia’s long-term investments, including ETRSS-1 and COMSAT, as examples of how sustained vision, regional integration, and strategic partnerships can strengthen Africa’s presence in space. Melaku Mulualem, Director General for Training at the Institute of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that space engagement extends beyond technology to encompass diplomacy, identifying human capital development, institutional frameworks, and infrastructure as key capacity-building pillars, and highlighting initiatives such as the Africa–EU Space Partnership Programme for their role in promoting the peaceful use of outer space, advancing technical expertise, and enhancing diplomatic cooperation.
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