Thought Leadership

AUTHOR: Vuyolwethu Mahlalela Emerging space ecosystems are trying to move from strategy and pilots to reliable delivery of space-enabled services and supporting infrastructure. Yet across...

Africa’s space sector is no longer emerging; it is actively taking shape. Across the continent, space agencies are being established or revitalised, signalling a growing institutional commitment. At the...

When people hear the term space data, they often think of astronauts floating above the Earth or complex satellites circling in orbit. But space data is...

A recent study conducted by RIIS on behalf of the Mandela Mining Precinct’s Real-Time Information Management System (RTIMS) Programme, has explored how the convergence of ESG, digitalisation...

The Republic of Kenya continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging innovation and technological advancements to tackle its socioeconomic needs. This commitment is evident in...

A survey of the South African mining industry’s investment into research, development and innovation (RD&I) will give fresh insights into what is encouraging funding and...

In a bid to understand the universe and our place in it, humanity has always looked towards the stars. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project...

by Imraan Salojee, Director, RIIS The global narrative of space exploration often paints a picture dominated by Western powerhouses, overlooking the significant contributions, advancements and...

In the vast expanse of outer space, an increasing concern is taking shape closer to our home planet – the issue of space debris. Often...

RIIS has been officially included as a member of the GEO Group of Earth Observations Associate, which is the largest earth observation (EO) partnership in the world,...

As countries around the world continue to leverage space technology for socio-economic development, the space sector in Africa is determinedly keeping pace.  If properly harnessed, the transformative...

The African space sector finds itself at a very exciting phase of its growth. Several space agencies have been established across the continent, indicating growing recognition of the opportunities that space-based...

The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) and the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) recently hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop in Rwanda in support of the space agency’s...

Over the recent past, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a remarkable technology platform creating value in a diverse range of sectors and industries...

By Davis Cook, CEO RIIS  Despite a whirlwind of start-up activity in the continent over the last few years, Africa cannot crack the ranks of the world’s...