EU-AU space relations : status, prospects and challenges

Abstract

It is about two decades since the relationship between the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) was redefined, with space cooperation as one of the areas for partnership. The renewed space cooperation has resulted in two main long-term space programmes, namely: Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa, and European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) in Africa. EU-AU space relations, however, faces challenges such as low contribution from Africa, projection of EU interests, regional politics in both blocs, and the changing global geopolitical context. If these challenges are not addressed, the impact of the EU-AU space relations would wane. This Policy Brief, based on a virtual roundtable discussion among actors from EU and AU, examines the status of the EU-AU space relations. It highlights potential areas for cooperation such as satellite connectivity, space weather research, space governance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also discusses the role of different actors, including national space agencies, academia, industry and civil society, towards strengthening of the partnership