Ethiopia’s ambitious space program aimed at enabling the country to build a highly developed scientific culture and reap the benefits accruing from space science and technology is no doubt a step in the right direction. The over 2 million Euro investment is a baby step towards cutting the costs of the country's astronomy and astrophysics students  from making expensive trips abroad, putting an Ethiopian satellite in orbit within five years and testing the first Ethiopian rocket to go more than 30 kilometres into the sky.

Indeed, science, technology and innovation are central to day to day activities and therefore crucial to augmenting Africa’s leap to development. However, while respective countries pursue lofty projects, they should be wary of alienating themselves from the wishes of a majority of their populations whose priority is to experience improved living standards. An upward focus is good but it should not marginalize the people below.