Senegal Wins ActInSpace 2026, Solidifying Position in Space Tech Sector
The Senegal team emerged victorious in the ActInSpace 2026 competition held on April 2, 2026 in Bordeaux. This win in a global space innovation competition marks a significant milestone for the country’s positioning in the strategic space tech sector in Africa.
The winning team, from the Dakar American School of Science and Technology, outshone finalists from 22 countries, including several major technological nations. Participants were focused on challenges related to satellite data applications and high-impact innovative solutions in the field of space technology.
The Senegalese delegation was led by Maram Kairé, Director General of the Senegalese Space Studies Agency, and included students, researchers, and mentors committed to developing the space innovation ecosystem in Senegal.
Prior to this, the national phase of ActInSpace 2026 took place in Dakar on January 30 and 31, under the auspices of ASES and the University of Rose Dieng France Senegal. Organized as a hackathon, it brought together several teams from universities and engineering schools to work on projects in space innovation. The DAUST team stood out domestically before showcasing their performance on the international stage.
Launched by the National Center for Space Studies and the European Space Agency, ActInSpace is now a global reference in technological innovation competitions. The 2026 edition brought together close to 1,800 participants from 35 countries, forming over 400 teams, tackling challenges proposed by industry leaders in the space sector.
This Senegal victory at ActInSpace 2026 enhances the country’s visibility in strategic areas such as space innovation in Africa, Senegal’s technology landscape in 2026, African space technology, and international innovation competitions. It also highlights the rising talent of Africans in the fields of science, engineering, and advanced technologies.
