From predicting droughts and floods to helping farmers plan planting seasons, space-based technologies are becoming practical tools for addressing some of Africa’s development challenges, according to a North-West University (NWU) space scientist.

Prof. Amare Abebe, director of the Centre for Space Research (CSR) at the NWU, and president of the African Astronomical Society, says the continent already has access to satellite technologies that can improve agriculture, disaster management, climate adaptation and connectivity. The next step, he says, is ensuring that African countries develop the skills and institutions needed to turn satellite data into decisions that improve people’s lives.

His comments come as African countries increase investment in space science and strengthen collaboration between governments, researchers and industry. This trend was reflected at the second African Space Solutions Market, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 7 to 9 July, where African stakeholders discussed the use of space technologies to support economic development, food security, disaster management and climate resilience.

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Office for Eastern Africa, in collaboration with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Rwanda, convened African Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to discuss the subregion’s economic performance. The dialogue focused on the findings of ECA’s 2026 Macroeconomic and Social Overview report, titled “Eastern Africa’s Balancing Act: High Growth, Tight Budgets, and Rising Uncertainty.”

Opening the meeting, Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in Rwanda noted that the region continues to demonstrate strong economic fundamentals despite a complex global environment.

“The report we discuss today highlights a region that is demonstrating remarkable resilience. Economic growth has generally remained robust, inflation has moderated in many countries, and foreign direct investment has shown encouraging signs of strength,” she said.

Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, today announced the launch of direct flights between Kuwait and one of East Africa’s fastest-growing economies – Ethiopia. The new service to Addis Ababa will operate three times a week starting 7 September, further expanding the airline’s growing network, and offering increased connectivity to Africa. 

With more than 70,000 Ethiopian nationals living in Kuwait, the new route offers the community a direct option to fly back home and reunite with family and friends. 

At the launch event, Sied Muhumed Jibril, the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Kuwait said 

“The launch of direct flights between Kuwait and Addis Ababa marks an important milestone in strengthening the longstanding ties between Ethiopia and Kuwait. This new connection will bring our people closer together, facilitate trade and investment, and encourage greater tourism and cultural exchange. We welcome Jazeera Airways to Ethiopia and look forward to the many opportunities this route will create for both our countries.”

Analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine – co-authored by experts including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, leading epidemiologist Professor Sir Michael Marmot, and Chairperson of the One Economy Foundation and former First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos – finds economic inequality, not conventional preparedness, has been the clearest predictor of how countries fared against pandemics, upending traditional assumptions about what actions governments need to take for health security. The new research from the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics finds that while technical capacity remains necessary, it is not sufficient. To respond to and prepare for pandemics effectively, governments need to include efforts to address inequality.

Call for “Inequality-Informed Pandemic Preparedness and Response”

Conventional understandings of what countries need to do to be ready to face pandemics are incomplete and need to be re-thought, the research shows. Many of the countries that score highest on standard measures of pandemic preparedness—based on technical abilities like laboratory, supply chain, or emergency response capabilities—have seen some of the highest rates of infection and death during both the COVID-19 and AIDS pandemics. Countries like the United States or United Kingdom have topped official preparedness lists, but the research findings show no association between these traditional understandings of preparedness and success in the real world. Policies that only ensure technical capability are not enough.