I’m honored to announce my participation as a subject matter expert in the Space for Health Working Group at the 8th African Space Generation Workshop (AF-SGW), hosted by National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) and NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE LIMITED (NIGCOMSAT) at the Obasanjo Space Center in Abuja, Nigeria.
The objective of the AF-SGW is to raise awareness of the benefits of space, exchange know-how, and share best practices amongst stakeholders. The programme will facilitate public participation and provide an opportunity for students and young professionals to network with each other and experts with the aim of leading to future research and business partnerships and stimulating the interest among the next generation of African space professionals, whether in scientific, legal, corporate, or government sectors.
My invitation stems from my work co-writing and co-managing multiple UK Space Agency (UKSA) International Partnership Programmes, one of which successfully leveraged satellite connectivity to enhance healthcare outcomes in Nigeria’s underserved regions. This experience demonstrated the tangible impact of space technology on ground-level healthcare delivery.
The workshop convenes from November 20-21, 2024, under the theme “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁”. Building on my practical experience with the UKSA programmes, I’ll be contributing to discussions on how satellite technology can enhance healthcare services across the continent.
The Space for Health Working Group will explore crucial applications of space technology in public health, particularly focusing on disease surveillance and malaria elimination. We will examine how satellite communications and earth observation can enable faster health monitoring and response.
I look forward to sharing insights from our working group. Our experience shows that when we bridge the gap between space technology and healthcare delivery, we create lasting positive impact on communities. The reports and recommendations from the workshop will be included in the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) annual report submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS).
Connect with me if you’re interested in space as an enabler or learning more about successful space-enabled initiatives in Africa.
Bridging Space and Healthcare: From UKSA Partnership Programme in Africa to the 8th African Space Generation Workshop
