African Space Economy: ACCI, NASRDA, others to co-host conference in October
By Ijeoma Olorunfemi/Lucy Ogalue
Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and MEDIAVIVA Consultancy Limited have concluded plans to co-host the 1st African Space Economy Conference, 2023.
The President of ACCI, Dr Abubarka Al-Mujtaba, while signing the consultancy agreement with both NASRDA and
MEDIAVIVA on Thursday in Abuja, said the event would impact positively on governance and the lives of Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference and exhibition with the theme, ‘Exploring Space Economy for Africa’s Economic Growth,’ are scheduled to hold from Oct.16 to Oct. in Abuja.
“Space economy, as an emerging sub-sector of the global space ecosystem, denotes and captures the economic benefits of a dynamic space sector and the role space can play in the socio-economic development of the society.
“This new subject is a growing field of application and practice in Europe, North America, and many parts of Asia.
`’Africa is however a late starter as the space economy is still a subject not yet fully appreciated and lacking the requisite policy framework needed for robust facilitation and regulation of the sub-sector.
“The conference is designed to address the real developmental issues in Nigeria and Africa in a way that will positively impact governance and everyone’s life,’’ Al-Mujtaba said.
He listed some sectors which the conference would address to include: Space technology and communication, internally generated revenue (IGR), Internal security, food security and health sector.
Al-Mujtaba said others are: Space technology and the growth of the Tech. Innovation ecosystem, especially in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR).
According to Al-Mujtaba, MEDIAVIVA Limited will ensure the operational and marketing aspect of the event.
He said this would help in fast-tracking the implementation of action plans for the event and further facilitate synergy with the Local Organising Committee(LOC)
On his part, the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Halilu Shaba, said Africa needed to focus more on emerging trends in the global economy.
Shaba urged that Africa should not be left out in the global space economy which had proven to drive development worldwide.
“We are trying to avoid capital flight. The world is going to space, and Nigeria will not be the last.
“The idea of the conference is to showcase our space industry to the public, as we are focused on liberalising space science and technology.
“We are talking to people to come, people who will benefit from it, and while we stay in our labs and workshops, we are engaging people knowledgeable in the area of commerce to take it further,” he said.
Shaba added that it was time for Nigerians to have fate in space because the conference would address problems in education, security, economy, agricultural, and health sectors, among others.
Mr Israel Edjeren, Chief Executive Officer of MEDIAVIVA, pledged its commitment to ensure the exhibition showcaset he potential of the space industry and of international standard.
Similarly, Dr Matthew Adepoju, Co-Chairman of the LOC said the committee would engage the private sector to leverage the potential in the sector. (NAN)(www.nannew.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Bashir Rabe Mani
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