By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Senegalese space
entrepreneur and technology leader Maram Kaire has been appointed to the Global
Advisory Council on the Future of Space, a newly established body created by
Seraphim Space, one of the world’s leading investment groups dedicated
exclusively to the space technology sector.
Kaire, who serves as Chief
Executive Officer of the Senegalese Agency for
Space Studies (ASES), announced
his appointment on Thursday, describing it as an opportunity to represent
Africa’s interests within a global forum focused on shaping the future of the
space industry.
The Global Advisory Council
on the Future of Space was launched by Seraphim Space on April 15 to address
key strategic, commercial, and geopolitical opportunities and challenges facing
the global space sector. The council brings together seven prominent figures
from across the international space ecosystem, including astronauts,
entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, and policymakers.
According to Seraphim Space,
the council was established to provide strategic guidance on issues influencing
the evolution of the space economy, including commercial space activities,
national space programmes, defence applications, climate monitoring, and global
communications infrastructure.
Kaire said he would serve as
the voice of Africa on the council, underscoring the growing role of the
continent in the global space industry.
The advisory council is
chaired by Candace Johnson, a pioneer in the satellite communications industry
and co-founder of SES. Other inaugural members include Anousheh Ansari, Chief
Executive Officer of XPRIZE and the first private female space explorer; Ann
Winblad, co-founder and managing director of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners;
Marco Fuchs, Chief Executive Officer of OHB SE; Masayasu Ishida, co-founder and
Chief Executive Officer of SPACETIDE and programme director of the Japan Space
Strategy Fund; Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the Committee on Space
Research (COSPAR) and Research Professor at the Space Policy Institute of
George Washington University; and Rob Desborough, General Partner at Seraphim
Space and co-founder of the Seraphim Space Accelerator.
Founded in 2016, Seraphim
Space has positioned itself as a global leader in space technology investment.
The company launched the world’s first venture capital funds dedicated solely
to the space sector and has played a significant role in supporting the growth
of emerging space companies worldwide.
The investment group reports
that it has supported 149 companies across 33 countries since its inception.
Its portfolio companies have collectively raised more than £10 billion, with
nine achieving unicorn status.
