Governments the world over increasingly view space infrastructure as an economic necessity, using satellite services to improve mineral exploration, telecommunications, weather forecasting, disaster response and national security. Collectively, African governments nearly doubled their allocated budget year-on-year to $828 million for 2026. Experts argue those choices will do as much to shape Africa’s future space sector as the satellites themselves. That arguably leaves Washington at a structural disadvantage as African governments seek partners that can help establish domestic space industries. Most African governments are not choosing sides.