Introduction: On Space Policy, Development and Security in Nigeria and South Africa

This chapter introduces space policy, socioeconomic development and security in Nigeria and South Africa, and locates these countries in theoretical and empirical discussions in space politics and policy studies. In this case, utilitarian theory is adopted as a framework of analysing space policy, with the desire to promote socioeconomic development and security of the affected parties. Utilitarianism is relevant to post-Cold War efforts by space nations, especially the emerging ones, such as Nigeria and South Africa, to transcend the struggle for power, influence, status and prestige for tangible development and security utilities in space. In addition, this chapter examines space politics and policy in Nigeria and South Africa under three levels of analysis. At the global level, these countries are emerging space players; at the regional level, they are leading space players; and at the national level, they are made up of competing and complementary space and related institutions and interests. At all these levels, this chapter identifies the state and inadequacies of the extant literature on the subject. It is against this background that this book examines the space policy interests and commitments of Nigeria and South Africa, their determinants, trajectories, operationalisations, and contributions to socioeconomic development and security of the countries.