CHANGING THE FACE OF AFRICA THROUGH SPACE-BASED SERVICES

Transcription

1 CHANGING THE FACE OF AFRICA THROUGH SPACE-BASED SERVICES Godstime James National Space Research and Development Agency Abuja-Nigeria United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research The Role of Norms of Behaviour for African Outer Space Activities. 7 and 8 March 2013 UN Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.

2 PRESENTATION OUTLINE Introduction. African Initiatives. Space-Based Services in Africa. Conclusion.

3 MAJOR CHALLENGES IN AFRICA Source: Congo Story:

4 Africa in Context USA 48 States Africa in Context The Size of Africa Africa covers 20% of Earth s land surface Argentina India China 9,596,960 Km 2 USA 9,363,071 Km 2 India 3,287,590 Km 2 Western Europe 4,936,973 Km 2 Argentina 2,766,890 Km 2 New Zealand 268,680 Km 2 TOTAL : 30,220,164 km 2 Western Europe New Zealand Area of Africa: 30,318,830 km 2 Source: World Factbook, 2004 China

5 AFRICAN INITIATIVES Emerging Space Faring Nations in Africa Algeria Nigeria South Africa Egypt Morocco Seychelles Kenya Ghana Ethiopia Source:

6 African Resource Management (ARM) Satellite Constellation Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa Kenya,... 4 Earth Observation micro satellites, one from each country. AFRICAN INITIATIVES Objective : Provide real time, Unrestricted, Affordable, Data for environmental and resource management for Africa. Signing of the ARMC Space Agreement, 7th December 2009 in Algiers, Algeria (Source: Algerian Space Agency)

7 Regional African Satellite Communication Organization (RASCOM) RASCOM is an intergovernmental, commercial satellite organization. 45 African countries. The Programme facilitates the ability of African operators to interconnect directly without third party networks. Provide telecommunications services at very low costs, thus making universal service a reality in Africa. RQ1 and RQ1R. AFRICAN INITIATIVES

8 SPACE-BASED SERVICES IN AFRICA DISASTER MANAGEMET The African continent is prone to disasters. UN-SPIDER programme provides advisory services to strengthen the use of space-based technology for disaster management on the Continent through Technical Advisory Support. The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters is providing earth observation satellite data for the response phase of disasters on the Continent. This provides for prompt and precise response possible. Changing the way we respond to disasters. Example of such responses include the following interventions.

9 Estimated rainfall accumulation from 23rd to 30th January 2013, Mozambique Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)

10 Flooding of Lokoja and Environs in Nigeria in 2012 Total Area Flooded: 820 Sq.km

11 Flooding in Lake Chad region in 2012

12 CLIMATE CHANGE Major Requirement for monitoring and predicting Climate dynamics: Access to real-time, in-situ as well as time series data. This is no longer a major challenge in Africa with the implementation of the GEONETCast regional data broadcasts programme using communication satellites (EUMETSAT for coverage over Africa). 380 GEONETCast stations are already deployed across Africa, with at least one station per country. This product is changing the way we deal with climate change issues: from mitigation and response to early warning. Ground Segment 1500Eur

13 BROADCASTING Net Subscribers ('000) Source: Communication satellites: Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) Services. Direct-To-Home (DTH). Analogue to Digital (SD to HD). The just concluded Africa cup of nations was watched live by many African countries; thanks to satellite TV channels. Source:

14 HEALTH A substantial percentage of Africans live in the rural areas. A major challenge is access to specialized healthcare. Nigerian Telemedicine Programme. The Satellite African e-health Validation (SAHEL) project : Kenya and Senegal (Demonstration). Inner picture of the ear drum General Examination & Immunization in Gombe Satellite-enhanced ehealth for sub- Saharan Africa Programme (ehsa). (Feasibility and Implementation). Skin infection Examination General Examination & Immunization in Gombe

15 E-COMMERCE Communication satellite services in Africa has changed the way we do business on the continent. Payment for goods and services are now been done electronically through the following banking innovations: Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Teller Services Branch Bank Automation Transaction support File/Software updates Electronic Benefit Transfer International Monetary Transfer from Africans in Diaspora $40b

16 TELECOMMUNICATION Every square inch of the continent is covered with satellite bandwidth. Access to satellite bandwidth for internet has changed the continent drastically. Corporate Africa is now able to communicate efficient with the outside world through the internet. The youths in particular have continued to enjoy access through the information highway to social media. These facility played a major role in the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt.

17 AFRICAN REFERENCE GEODETIC NETWORK (AFREF) PROGRAMME Navigational Satellites Africa Geodetic System is meant to provide a unified geodetic framework for African Countries. Consist of a network of continuous permanent GNSS stations User anywhere in Africa would have free access to GNSS data and products.

18 CONCLUSION

19 CONCLUSION

20 THANK YOU

21 Eight out of 50 countries in sub- Saharan Africa still did not have an operational fibre backbone in June Over 50 million people living in these eight countries relied exclusively on satellite and terrestrial microwave networks for their national and international connectivity: Burundi, Central African Republic, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and South Sudan. Economic_Impact_of_Broadband_The_Satellite_Advantage.pdf