Kagame made the remarks while addressing the International Space Summit in Paris, a two-day gathering convened by French President Emmanuel Macron that brought together Heads of State and Government, space agency leaders, and industry representatives to discuss governance, security and sustainable development frameworks for the space sector.

Thanking President Macron for convening the summit, Kagame said the space economy is evolving rapidly, driven by lower costs, new technologies and greater private sector engagement, and that Africa intends to be a contributor to science, research and global decision-making, not only a user of space capabilities.

"For a continent with a young and increasingly connected population, this sector offers enormous potential," he said, adding that with the right support, African talent can develop the relevant expertise and build businesses that create real value for the continent.

Kagame pointed to Rwanda's national space policy as an example of how the country is positioning itself in the sector, saying it was designed to foster investment and innovation.

He told the delegates that Rwanda is currently using space technologies and artificial intelligence to strengthen agriculture, infrastructure, disaster management and other critical areas, and that the country also hosts satellite ground infrastructure serving global operators.

On the growing competition for spectrum and orbital resources as satellite constellations expand, Kagame warned that developing countries risk losing access.

He noted that Rwanda, alongside other partners, supported the African Telecommunications Union's efforts to regain several orbital slots for the continent, describing the experience as proof of how coordinated African action can protect the continent's interests.

Kagame called for the pace of change in the space sector to be matched by clear international rules, saying frameworks should recognize both the civilian and security applications of space technologies and enable responsible collaboration. He said this requires an inclusive process that gives developing countries a meaningful voice and ensures their priorities are fairly represented.

He also raised the issue of technology transfer, saying export restrictions continue to limit access to knowledge and modern technologies, and welcomed partnerships that advance research and build local capacity. He cited the company E-Space as an example, saying it is working with a growing number of African countries to develop and deploy satellite-based solutions.

"Ultimately, we should avoid reproducing in space the inequalities that exist in other domains," Kagame said, adding that Rwanda stands ready to work with France, Europe and other partners to deepen space cooperation.