Senegal advances space sovereignty with Gaindesat-1B nanosatellite assembly

Senegalese engineers are currently in Montpellier, France, assembling Gaindesat-1B, a nanosatellite designed to collect environmental and climate data. This project is the second phase of the Sensat space program, following the launch of Gaindesat-1A in 2024.

Program lead Gayane Faye noted that the team has achieved greater autonomy in this phase compared to the first satellite, which relied more heavily on support from the University of Montpellier. The long-term goal is to repatriate the entire manufacturing process to Senegal, with new infrastructure currently being prepared near Dakar.

This initiative reflects a broader trend across Africa, where space industry investments have grown from under $300 million in 2018 to approximately $800 million today. The number of African nations with active space programs has increased from eight to twenty, driven by the need for satellite data to monitor natural resources, manage urban development, and track climate change impacts on agriculture and fishing.