AFRICA: Call to expand space programmes

African leaders have been urged to expand space science, in a drive to meet Millennium Development Goals, reports the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Space experts from around world gathered in Nigeria’s capital Abuja this week to attend the first regional Space for Africa conference.

Space science in Africa is seen as supporting sustainable development. But with enormous financial needs for poverty alleviation programmes, some argue that funds should be directly focused on such projects. But as elsewhere, Africa can benefit from space science in areas such as mapping untapped natural resources, food security and disease control.

Full report on the SABC news site
International Academy of Astronautics site