STORY: African countries urged to develop human capital in space science, technology
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 15, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 16, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:25
LOCATION: Addis Ababa
CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the meeting
2. SOUNDBITE (English): TIDIANE OUATTARA, President of the African Space Council of the African Space Agency

STORYLINE:

African countries have been urged to expedite concerted efforts in developing the continent's human capital in space science and technology to harness its vast opportunities.
   
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the ongoing 38th African Union (AU) summit at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, President of the African Space Council of the African Space Agency Tidiane Ouattara said the African continent lacks the critical mass of expertise needed to fully leverage space science and technology.
   
Ouattara said the African Space Agency, a newly established independent organ of the AU, is tasked by African leaders with promoting the use of space science and technology by fostering continental collaboration and advancing relevant knowledge and skills.

SOUNDBITE (English): TIDIANE OUATTARA, President of the African Space Council of the African Space Agency
"Space science is relatively new in Africa. We are realizing that we need to create a critical mass to be able to increase the number of young people who are knowledgeable, and knowing space science.
60 percent of the population in Africa is young, and they are opportunities for us. If we train them very well, we have the opportunity to use space for many kinds of applications, such as disaster risk reductions, climate change adaptation and mitigation, rural development, urban development, etc.
One of our key mandates will be to make sure that we develop the human capital, the critical mass for African young people. We cannot develop the space without the partnership, both intra-African partnerships and partnerships with abroad."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Addis Ababa.
(XHTV)