Djibouti Conducts First Earth Observation Mission with French Support
Djibouti, long recognised for its strategic location along global maritime trade routes, now asserts itself in the space sector. With ambitions to become a regional space science and technology hub, the country has successfully conducted its first Earth Observation (EO) mission, supported by French institutions, on April 9, 2025.
This historic milestone builds upon Djibouti’s strategic collaboration with France, formalised through a declaration of intent signed in December 2024, and aims to harness satellite technology for national development, particularly in areas like climate resilience, urban planning, and maritime security.
The expertise mission was carried out in partnership with France’s Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), and IGN-FI (Institut National de l’Information Géographique et Forestière International), with the support of the Embassy of France in Djibouti.
Leading the mission was Aboubaker Hassan, Secretary General of Djibouti’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research, who emphasised the mission’s goal of unlocking the potential of satellite-derived data for actionable outcomes across key national sectors.
Key Outcomes of the EO Mission
Strengthening National Capacities in Spatial Data Processing
The mission prioritised the development of hands-on capabilities for satellite image analysis, geospatial data interpretation, and AI-driven processing. French experts engaged with local scientists and engineers to shape a long-term training and knowledge transfer roadmap, laying the foundation for self-sufficiency in EO data processing.
Assessing User Needs for a Targeted EO Service Offer
An essential mission component was collecting and analysing end users’ specific needs across government and civil sectors. Some focus areas identified include:
- Climate adaptation and natural disaster management
- Coastal and port security
- Infrastructure development and urban expansion monitoring
These themes (and many more) will inform the development of future EO services tailored to Djibouti’s socio-economic priorities.
Planning Scalable Scientific and Technical Infrastructure
Discussions during the mission addressed technical infrastructure required for a robust EO ecosystem, including:
- A centralised data processing hub equipped with high-performance computing
- Secure cloud storage systems for long-term satellite imagery archiving
- Enhancements to ground station capabilities to receive real-time data from Copernicus and other EO satellites
- Modular systems architecture to ensure long-term scalability and avoid technological obsolescence
Building Toward the Mission: Institutional Foundations
The EO mission represents a significant outcome of sustained groundwork since the December 2024 bilateral agreement with France. Among the key developments is Djibouti’s plan to establish the Djibouti Space Agency (DSA), a central body to coordinate and manage the country’s growing space activities.
The proposed agency will:
- Consolidate space policy and avoid fragmentation of efforts
- Streamline international partnerships, particularly with leading spacefaring nations
- Promote private sector involvement in space-related innovation and services
Through the DSA and aligned initiatives, Djibouti is formulating a national space strategy rooted in utility, sustainability, and regional leadership.