Inauguration of the African Space Agency: A Milestone for Africa’s Space Development

Africa’s space aspirations will reach a significant milestone on April 20, 2025, with the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) at its headquarters in the Egyptian Space City, Cairo. This event marks the culmination of efforts that began in January 2016, when the African Union Assembly adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy during its Twenty-sixth Ordinary Session, establishing the foundation for the continent’s coordinated approach to space activities.

The inauguration ceremony will gather distinguished representatives from the African Union Commission, various African governments, national space agencies, AfSA Council members, and international space organisations. This assembly of dignitaries underscores the continental and global significance of Africa’s advancement in space endeavors.

Distinguished Attendees

The event will be graced by numerous high-ranking officials, including H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and H.E. Professor Dr Mostafa Madbouly, Egyptian Prime Minister. Other notable attendees include Professor Kobea Arsène, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Higher Education and Research of Ivory Coast; H.E. Mr Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Social Communication from Angola; and H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs.

International space community representation will include Marco Ferrazzani, Director of Internal Services at the European Space Agency; Mr Luca Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency; Ms Karen Feldstein, Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations at NASA; and H.E. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency.

African space leadership will be represented by H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency, and Dr Valanathan Munsami, Chancellor of the International Space University, former CEO of the South African National Space Agency, and Chair of the African Union Space Working Group. Other notable attendees include national space agency heads from various African countries.

The Role and Objectives of AfSA

Following its inauguration, the African Space Agency will be the primary entity coordinating Africa’s space cooperation with Europe and other international partners. As outlined in the African Space Agency Act, a central objective of AfSA 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, the agency aims to eliminate duplication and inefficiencies within the African space ecosystem. As the official coordinating body, AfSA will implement the African Space Policy and Strategy effectively and advance the continent’s space-related objectives.

Inauguration Programme in Detail

The inauguration ceremony on April 20, 2025, will feature a meticulously planned programme reflecting this milestone’s historical significance for African space development.

Documentary Presentation: “Africa’s Journey to Space”

A professionally produced documentary will provide comprehensive context for Africa’s space endeavours. This presentation will trace the continent’s historical interest in space technology, highlight early national space programmes from Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya, and document the collaborative process that led to adopting the African Space Policy and Strategy in 2016. The documentary will further illustrate current space capabilities across African nations, including existing satellite programmes, ground facilities, and research initiatives, while outlining the strategic vision that necessitated a unified continental approach through AfSA.

Keynote Address: The African Outer Space Journey

Dr Valanathan Munsami’s keynote address will draw on his extensive experience as Chair of the African Union Space Working Group to provide authoritative insights into Africa’s space trajectory. His presentation will analyse the challenges overcome during the establishment of AfSA, discuss successful continental cooperation models that informed the agency’s structure, and present a roadmap for how the agency will address Africa’s unique developmental challenges through space applications.

Formal Introduction of AfSA Structure and Mandate

This segment will comprehensively present the agency’s organisational structure, governance framework, funding mechanisms, and strategic priorities. The presentation will clarify the relationship between AfSA and existing national space agencies, outline mechanisms for member state participation, and detail the agency’s initial programmes in Earth observation, satellite communications, space science, and capacity building.

Logo Unveiling Ceremony

The unveiling of AfSA’s official logo represents a symbolic moment in establishing the agency’s identity. The logo design incorporates elements that reflect Africa’s cultural heritage, technological aspirations, and commitment to using space for sustainable development. Senior officials will explain the logo design’s symbolism and representation of Africa’s unified approach to space activities. 

The logo was designed by Cameroonian designer Remy Fadhil Bouelet, who emerged as the winner of the AfSA Logo Competition announced in February 2025.

Goodwill Messages from International Partners

Representatives from space agencies worldwide will deliver messages emphasising the importance of international cooperation in space activities. These addresses will acknowledge Africa’s emerging role in the global space community and outline potential areas for technology transfer, joint missions, and capacity development. 

Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony

The signing of cooperation agreements with the European Space Agency, UAE Space Agency, and Roscosmos represents AfSA’s first formal international partnerships. Each memorandum outlines specific areas of cooperation, including:

• With ESA: Collaborative Earth observation programmes focused on climate monitoring and natural resource management, joint training programmes for African space professionals, and technical support for AfSA’s early institutional development. 
• With UAE Space Agency: Cooperation on small satellite development, educational exchanges between African and Emirati space institutions and many more.
• With Roscosmos: Technical consultation on launch capabilities, space science research collaboration, and potential participation of African astronauts in future missions.

Ministerial Addresses on National Commitments

The ministerial addresses will provide insights into how African nations envision their participation in continental space activities through AfSA. Representatives from Ivory Coast, Angola, and Egypt will outline their countries’ existing space capabilities, announce specific contributions to AfSA initiatives, and express their nations’ expectations from the agency. These addresses will demonstrate the political support essential for AfSA’s successful operation across the continent.

Keynote Address by the African Union Commission Chairperson

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf’s address will position AfSA within the broader framework of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The Chairperson will articulate how space technology applications align with continental development priorities in agriculture, infrastructure, telecommunications, education, health, and environmental management. The address will emphasise AfSA’s role in advancing African technological sovereignty and reducing dependency on external providers for space-derived data and services.

Keynote Address by the Egyptian Prime Minister

As the host country representative, H.E. Professor Dr Mostafa Madbouly will highlight Egypt’s commitment to supporting AfSA’s operations. The Prime Minister will detail the facilities provided at the Egyptian Space City, including administrative buildings, technical infrastructure, and research capabilities available to the agency. The address will also outline Egypt’s vision for developing a space technology cluster around the AfSA headquarters to foster innovation and economic opportunities.

Ribbon Cutting and Facility Tour

The ceremonial ribbon cutting by the AUC Chairperson and Egyptian Prime Minister will officially open the AfSA headquarters. Following this symbolic act, dignitaries will tour the facility, including the main administrative building, operations centre,  training spaces and other facilities. This tour will showcase the state-of-the-art infrastructure supporting AfSA’s continental mandate.

The formal programme will conclude with a reception allowing delegates from across Africa and international partners to establish working relationships. This networking opportunity will facilitate initial discussions on potential collaborative projects, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge exchange programmes that AfSA will coordinate in its early operational phase.