China’s ‘Space Silk Road’ – Space Partnerships in Africa

The increasing military use of outer space and the growing dependence of modern warfare on space-based systems are giving space greater strategic and geopolitical importance. This is particularly evident in China’s rise as a military space power and its long-term ambition to catch up with the United States. China is developing international space partnerships and intensifying its cooperation with countries of the Global South. The African continent is playing an increasingly important role in these efforts. Africa’s space sector is growing rapidly. However, it still depends on external fundings and partnerships, mainly due to limited domestic financial, technological, and infrastructural capabilities. For China, this creates opportunities to expand its technological and geopolitical influence on the African continent through long-term space cooperations. This article therefore examines the strategic importance of Africa to China’s space ambitions and analyses the resulting security implications for Germany and Europe.

Based on four case studies – Chinese-African space partnerships with Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Namibia – the analysis shows that China is increasingly integrating Africa’s space sector into its international space strategy. As part of the so-called “Space Silk Road,” China supports African states in developing satellite programmes, ground stations, and other space-related infrastructure. China frequently offers comprehensive technical solutions that include not only the satellite technology itself but also the development of the necessary ground infrastructure and technical training for local personnel. For African states, this provides low-threshold and cost-effective access to space capabilities that are primarily used for civilian applications, including communications, Earth observation, and navigation. At the same time, long-term cooperation and the increasing use of Chinese-supported technology and infrastructure may foster new forms of technological and political dependency.

China considers outer space an integral part of its long-term military and strategic objectives. Satellites, navigation systems, and ground stations can serve not only civilian applications but also military purposes, including reconnaissance, communications, navigation, and intelligence gathering. Through its growing presence in Africa’s space sector, China creates opportunities to gain access to space-related systems and infrastructure in Africa and potentially use them for military purposes.

In light of these developments, Germany and Europe are faced with new security challenges. At the same time, this development also creates new strategic opportunities. Some African states pursue a so-called “hedging” strategy and cooperate simultaneously with different external actors to advance the development and expansion of Africa’s space sector. Germany and Europe should therefore develop attractive, long-term space partnerships with African states. A coordinated European approach can help reduce technological dependencies, strengthen African capabilities, and safeguard European interests in an increasingly strategic space sector. The article derives concrete policy recommendations for Germany and Europe from these findings.

Read the entire analysis: ‘Chinas „Space Silk Road“ – Weltraumpartnerschaften in Afrika: Sicherheitspolitische Implikationen für Europa und Deutschland’ here.

Please note, to date this paper is only available in German.