Senegal wins ActInSpace 2026 global competition in historic first for Africa

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Senegal has emerged as the global winner of the ActInSpace 2026 international competition, marking a historic first for the African continent at the event held in Bordeaux, France, on April 2, 2026.

The winning team, INTERSTELLAR, from Dakar American University of Science and Technology, triumphed over finalists from 22 countries, including Australia, Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, among others.

The Senegalese delegation was led by Maram Kaire, Director General of the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies, and included students, researchers, and technical experts who contributed to the country’s strong performance.

ActInSpace, a biennial innovation competition launched by the French National Centre for Space Studies and the European Space Agency, is designed to stimulate interest in space technologies and foster entrepreneurship by challenging participants to develop innovative solutions based on space-related data and applications.

At the national level, the 2026 edition was co-organized in Senegal by ASES and the Université Rose Dieng France Sénégal, where seven teams from universities and engineering institutions competed in a 24-hour hackathon held in January. The INTERSTELLAR team secured victory at the national stage before advancing to win the international final.

This year’s global competition brought together nearly 1,800 participants across more than 50 locations in 35 countries, forming over 400 teams. The initiative has also contributed to the creation of dozens of startups since its inception, highlighting its role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship within the space sector.

Senegal’s victory underscores the growing capacity of African institutions and talent in the global space ecosystem, while reinforcing ongoing efforts to build a robust national space programme and promote high-quality scientific training.

Officials noted that the achievement reflects the country’s commitment to developing its space ecosystem and positioning local talent on the international stage through strategic initiatives led by ASES.