DAUST students win Senegal edition of DefInSpace 2025 Hackathon
Date: 2025-10-14
A team of students from the Dakar American University of Science and Technology (DAUST) has made history as the first African participants in the prestigious international hackathon DefInSpace 2025, organized by France’s Space Command (CDE).
The
DAUST team emerged winners of the local edition held in Senegal and coordinated
by the Senegalese Agency for Space
Studies (ASES). The competition, which took place from October 10–11, 2025, focused on the
theme “Real-time video surveillance from Low Earth Orbit (LEO)” — a
24-hour challenge centered on space sovereignty and security.
Demonstrating
exceptional creativity, scientific precision, and teamwork, the DAUST students
successfully tackled the complex challenge, earning them a place in the semi-finals and grand final to be
held in Paris on November 28, 2025.
The
victory marks a significant milestone for Senegal and the African continent,
reflecting the growing capacity of African institutions in space science and
technology innovation.
In
a statement, ASES commended the DAUST team for their outstanding performance
and expressed appreciation to all partners of the CDE for fostering an
initiative that empowers the next generation of African space innovators.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
