Lift off for the UK-Africa Space Technology for Sustainability Global Innovation Network Advisory Group
The Innovate UK UK-Africa Space Technology for Sustainability Global Innovation Network is pleased to announce the launch of its Advisory Group to maximise the impact of this community, increase the sharing of valuable insights and work collaboratively to boost sustainable innovation within the space industry.
The UK-Africa Space Technology for Sustainability Global Innovation Network aims to foster collaborations and innovative business development between the UK, South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda with regards to space technology and its various applications for positive social impact.
Advisory group members
The experts on this Advisory Group will help drive the strategic direction and activities of the Network by meeting to discuss key issues, share best practices, and develop action plans for upcoming activities.
Meet the members:
- Advisory Group Chair: Davis Cook – Non-Executive Director, and Karman Fellow at Anza Capital / ZASPACE
- Samira Barzin – Senior Researcher on Geospatial Economic Analytics at the University of Oxford
- Andy Bennett – Knowledge Transfer Manager – Space at Innovate UK Business Connect
- Luca Budello – Knowledge Transfer Manager – Geospatial Insights at Innovate UK Business Connect
- Yvette Hopkins – Board Chair, Craft Prospect
- Alana Kruger – Knowledge Transfer Manager – South Africa Office at Innovate UK Business Connect
- Albert Mugisha – Strategy Advisor at the Rwanda Space Agency
- Charles Mwangi – Acting Director, Space Sector & Technology Development at the Kenya Space Agency
- Andrew Robb – EMEA Space Leader at Deloitte UK
The Advisory Group will be supported by the UK Space Agency, South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and FCDO.
About the group
The Advisory Group will work together on future space technology opportunities for those in the UK, South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda as well as encourage space agencies, industry stakeholders and academic institutions to also share their funding competitions.
This group will explore how to engage with collaborative space industry stakeholders to strengthen the space entrepreneur ecosystem and offer advice on future space policies and regulations to increase UK-Africa initiatives and partnerships between the nations.
Connect with the Advisory Group and other members of the network through the UK-Africa Space Technology for Sustainability Global Innovation Network LinkedIn group.
I am excited to foster collaboration and drive innovation across South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and the UK with this dynamic group of advisors. Together with the ecosystem, we will harness the potential of the space sector to address critical challenges, advance socio-economic development, and shape a brighter future through international partnership.
Davis Cook – Advisory Group Chair
Be part of the network
The network is a platform that enables interaction and collaboration between the UK, South Africa, Rwanda and Kenya, to enable companies to harness cross-sectoral and international opportunities within the space technology industry.
Explore the network
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Related programmes
UK-Africa Space Technology for Sustainability Global Innovation Network
Boosting collaboration and sustainable innovation between African and UK space-technology companies while simultaneously enhancing positive social impact through space technology development and its applications.
Global Innovation Networks
Global Innovation Networks unite some of the best minds and greatest thinkers from across the UK and globally to find answers to some of the world’s most significant challenges. The Networks will facilitate UK, African and EU networks to deliver collaborative research, innovation and funding solutions that address key global innovation challenges.
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This Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa 6-year (2019-2025) project funded by UK International Development aims to build new and stronger UK-African partnerships to maximise the creation of inclusive market access, funding and investment opportunities through innovation knowledge transfer between the UK, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.