African Space Agency to be Officially Inaugurated at NewSpace Africa Conference 2025 in Cairo

The African Union Commission (AUC) will officially inaugurate the African Space Agency (AfSA) during the 2025 NewSpace Africa Conference, which will take place at Egypt Space City in Cairo, Egypt. With this launch, AfSA is set to become the central body for promoting collaboration on space initiatives across the continent.

After its inauguration, AfSA will be the primary point of contact for Africa’s cooperation with Europe and other international partners. One of its key objectives, as outlined in the African Space Agency Act, is to enhance space missions across Africa, ensuring optimal access to space-derived data, information, services, and products. Once fully integrated into national, regional, and continental programmes, AfSA will be crucial in eliminating duplication and inefficiencies within the African space ecosystem. As the official body overseeing and coordinating these efforts, it will also be responsible for effectively implementing the African Space Policy and Strategy and achieving the continent’s space-related goals.

The Vision Behind AfSA and the African Space Programme

The foundation for Africa’s continental space agenda was laid in January 2016 during the Twenty-sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly, where African Heads of State and Government adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy. This milestone established the framework for utilising space technology to achieve the AU’s vision of an integrated, prosperous, peaceful Africa. The African Space Policy and Strategy underscored the importance of space for achieving sustainable development, disaster management, climate change monitoring, and socio-economic growth.

The African Space Agency Act was approved in 2017, setting the legal and regulatory framework for overseeing space activities across the continent. It provided the basis for the creation of AfSA and outlined the strategic goals of Africa’s space sector, such as satellite technology development, space science education, and partnerships with global space players.

The Road to Establishing AfSA: Financial and Structural Foundations

AfSA’s establishment followed years of meticulous planning, negotiations, and financial deliberations. In 2018, the AU’s Committee of Permanent Representatives convened to assess the structural and financial implications of setting up the agency. These discussions were aimed at ensuring that AfSA would be sustainable and able to meet its long-term objectives. Stakeholders debated key issues, including governance structures, funding mechanisms, and technical capabilities needed to support Africa’s space ambitions.

The African Union Commission (AUC), committed to advancing space-based technologies for the benefit of African citizens, subsequently approved a localised roadmap to guide the agency’s growth. This roadmap, finely tailored to Africa’s needs and challenges, outlines strategic objectives and key performance indicators to ensure AfSA’s impact on the continent’s socio-economic development.

Egypt as the Host of AfSA’s Headquarters: A Strategic Move

Egypt’s Space City is now home to the African Space Agency’s headquarters, solidifying Egypt’s leadership role in Africa’s space ecosystem. On January 25, 2023, an agreement was signed between the Egyptian government and the African Union Commission to formally inaugurate AfSA. This agreement sets the stage for AfSA’s operationalisation and reflects Egypt’s commitment to fostering space research, technology development, and innovation across the continent.

The Egyptian Parliament further demonstrated the country’s commitment by approving presidential decision no. 2023/213 in June 2023, which officially greenlighted Egypt to host AfSA’s headquarters. The Egypt Space City, a 123-acre, state-of-the-art facility designed to support Africa’s space exploration efforts, will serve as a hub for space-related research, innovation, and capacity building.

This move is also expected to boost Egypt’s space industry and stimulate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) connected to space technology. Satellite data and other space technologies provided by AfSA will contribute to economic growth, support sustainable development, and align with Africa’s Agenda 2063, the continent’s blueprint for socio-economic transformation.

The Role of the African Space Council

A crucial part of AfSA’s governance structure is the African Space Council, inaugurated during the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly. The Council is tasked with providing leadership and oversight to AfSA’s operations. It comprises ten members, two from each of Africa’s five regions, ensuring that all parts of the continent have a voice in the agency’s decision-making processes.

H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, from Côte d’Ivoire, was appointed the inaugural President of the Council. Dr Rakiya Babamaaji from Nigeria serves as Vice President. Other council members include Thandikile Chisala Mbvundula from Malawi, Dr Lisho Mundia from Namibia, Amal Layachi from Morocco, Aboubaker Hassan Ali from Djibouti, Dr Éliane Ubalijoro from Rwanda, and Amin Mestar from Algeria. Fernand Guy Isseri from Cameroon was elected as the ninth member, with one more female representative to be added from Central Africa to ensure gender and regional balance.

Click here to discover the distinctive role of the African Space Council in advancing the African Space Programme.

Strategic Importance of AfSA for Africa

AfSA’s inauguration comes at a time when space-based technologies are becoming increasingly critical to addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges. Satellite data now plays a pivotal role in supporting climate resilience, food security, natural resource management, and disaster response across the continent. With Africa facing climate change-induced droughts, floods, and deforestation, access to reliable satellite data can help African governments make informed policy decisions. In addition, AfSA is poised to contribute to developing satellite communications and earth observation technologies that can bridge Africa’s digital divide, especially in rural and underserved areas. This will foster connectivity, improve educational outcomes, and enhance access to healthcare services through telemedicine. AfSA also seeks to build human capacity by promoting space science and technology education. The agency aims to train the next generation of African space scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs by working with universities, research institutions, and private sector players.

As AfSA begins its journey, its success will depend on continued collaboration between African governments, the private sector, international partners, and the scientific community. With a robust governance structure and a clear strategic vision, AfSA is set to significantly contribute to the continent’s sustainable development and global standing in the space industry.