Food security on the African continent, among others, will be improved if talks between South Africa, Algeria, Kenya and Nigeria about launching a constellation of satellites succeed.

The talks need to be a success because space assets are no longer only a matter of prestige. They have become critical sources of information.

The constellation of 4 satellites was discussed at the first African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, hosted in Abuja last week by Nigeria's National Space Research and Development Agency.

Representatives of the four governments also met at Stellenbosch, South Africa, during September this year. It was agreed, in principle, to work together in the context of the African Resource and Environmental Management Constellation (ARM) towards the launch and operation of a constellation of low Earth orbiting satellites.

Space based systems are routinely used for telecommunications, broadcasting and weather forecasts, some of which have become commercially viable businesses, while others, like the weather forecast, are essential public services. The following New Partnership for Africa