In Africa, France and the United States Compete for Influence in the Space Race

Nearly 120 foreign delegations will gather at the Grand Palais in Paris on September 9 and 10 for the first International Space Summit, organized by Emmanuel Macron. France and the United States are adopting competing approaches to strengthen their influence in Africa, focusing on priorities such as orbital security and the space economy. The United States emphasizes the technical autonomy of African agencies in the face of Chinese and Russian presence in the satellite market. Between 1998 and 2023, Chinese and Russian companies secured the majority of African satellite contracts, leaving little room for American firms.