Japanese Space Business Initiative Targets Social Challenges in African Nations: Axelspace and Three Organizations Establish Co-Creation Consortium

Japan’s leaders in satellite development, satellite data applications, and finance unite to accelerate entry into a vast market

Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), a leading developer and operator of microsatellites dedicated to realizing its vision of “Space within Your Reach,” announced that, four organizations including Axelspace, General Incorporated Association Cross U, ArkEdge Space Inc., and Double Feather Partners, have formed a consortium to promote co-creation in the African market within the space business sector and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for collaboration on February 18, 2026.

The consortium aims to build a sustainable co-creation model that goes beyond the conventional framework of official development assistance (ODA) by directly linking Japan’s advanced space technologies with the dynamism of the private sectors in African nations. By integrating Japan’s digital infrastructure—including cutting-edge space technologies and data platforms—into the social foundations of the African continent, the consortium seeks to embody in the space domain the principles of the Japanese government’s vision, Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), first advocated in 2016 by then–Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and to generate substantial benefits for both Japan and Africa.

■ Background and Objectives: Shifting from Conventional Aid-Driven Assistance to Business-Driven Co-Creation
Across African nations, critical social issues, such as climate change-induced droughts and floods, food security challenges, and the need for infrastructure development, have emerged amid rapid urbanization. While the application of space technologies—including satellite data—is widely expected to help address these challenges, gaps in local infrastructure developments, systems, and technical know-how have become barriers to practical implementation.

Through the Cross U Africa Initiative Working Group established in November 2025*¹, the four organizations have explored co-creation models with African nations in collaboration with more than 20 Japanese organizations spanning industry, academia, and government. In January 2026, following participation in the Public and Private Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment in Africa*², organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the four organizations established the consortium to move beyond the cooperation phase of collaboration with each country’s public organizations and transition into the implementation phase, advancing concrete private-sector business initiatives.

The consortium aims to materialize, within the space industry, the principle of “co-creation of innovative solution,” set forth in the Yokohama Declaration adopted at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in August 2025. Moving beyond merely providing technology, the consortium will co-create with African business partners and foster a sustainable space industry ecosystem to accelerate the formation of projects that contribute to economic growth in both Japan and African nations.

■ Future Outlook
In April 2026, members of the four organizations will travel to Africa again to initiate discussions with local public institutions aimed at developing implementable projects and advancing the creation of a new co-creation model. Recognizing this year as an important milestone in translating the outcomes of TICAD 9 into tangible action, the organizations will present progress updates at NIHONBASHI SPACE WEEK 2026, one of Asia’s largest space business events, to be held in November. Looking ahead, the consortium will continue to expand partnerships with African nations and contribute to the revitalization and growth of industries in both regions.

■ Notes
*¹ Cross U: Press release on the establishment of Cross U Africa Initiative Working Group (Japanese only)
https://www.crossu.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/e255d4e669-1.pdf

*² Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: FY2025 Public and Private Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment in Africa (results)
https://www.mofa.go.jp/afr/af2/pageite_000001_01466.html

Related announcement can be found here:
Axelspace Signs MoU with Ethiopian Company to Address Social Challenges through the Utilization of Satellite Data