What to Expect at the NewSpace Africa Conference 2025
For the fourth consecutive year, the NewSpace Africa Conference (NSAC) will solidify its position as the premier gathering for African and international space stakeholders. The event will convene government officials, commercial companies, academia, and industry leaders to shape the future of Africa’s space ecosystem and its global partnerships.
Organised by Space in Africa in collaboration with the African Space Agency (AfSA), the 2025 edition will be hosted by the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) at Egypt Space City, Cairo, Egypt, between 21 and 24 April 2025. Building on the success of previous editions held in Kenya (2022), Côte d’Ivoire (2023), and Angola (2024), this year’s conference promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together over 500 delegates from more than 64 countries, 100 distinguished speakers, and 39 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions.
Here is a list of key discussions, partnerships, and innovations set to define the event.
The Inauguration of the African Space Agency
The African Space Agency (AfSA) will be officially inaugurated on the eve of the conference, marking a historic milestone for Africa’s space programme. AfSA’s official logo will also be unveiled as part of this momentous occasion, symbolising the agency’s commitment to promoting continental collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships in space development. Furthermore, this inauguration will set the tone for a transformative gathering, reinforcing Africa’s role in the global space industry and laying the groundwork for strengthened cooperation between African nations and international stakeholders.
With its launch, AfSA will be the primary point of contact for Africa’s engagement with global space stakeholders, reinforcing the conference’s overarching themes of collaboration, diplomacy, and knowledge exchange. Therefore, the inauguration not only underscores Africa’s commitment to advancing its space capabilities but also establishes a strong foundation for the discussions, partnerships, and best practice-sharing that will take place throughout the conference.
High-Level Delegations from Over 64 Countries
The 2025 NSAC will host an extraordinary gathering of over 500 delegates from 300 organisations worldwide, bringing together African and international government officials, ministry representatives, heads of national space agencies, NewSpace companies, policymakers, investors, and students. Thus, this high-level participation underscores the conference’s significance as a global platform for shaping the future of space innovation and collaboration.
Among the distinguished attendees are H.E. Dr Mustafa Madbouli, Prime Minister, Arab Republic of Egypt and Chairman, the Egyptian Space Board of Directors; H.E. Mário Oliveira, Minister, Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technologies, Angola; H.E. Javier Niño Pérez, Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union; H.E. Angelina Eichhorst, EU Ambassador to Egypt and the League of Arab States; H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), African Union; Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Minister of State for Information, Communications, Technology, and National Guidance, Uganda.
In addition, Dr Christian Feichtinger, Executive Director of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF); H.E. Dr Salim M AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO); Driss El Hadani, Deputy Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA); H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency; Dr Valanathan Munsami, Chancellor, International Space University; and Dr Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) will also grace the occasion.
Additionally, the conference will welcome heads of space agencies from over 25 African nations, including Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These leaders will provide exclusive updates on their respective space programmes, highlighting advancements, challenges, and future strategies that will shape the continent’s growing space sector.
35 Sponsors, One Vision
The success of this edition is made possible through the unwavering support of 35 distinguished sponsors, representing a diverse mix of industry leaders, commercial space enterprises, and key stakeholders shaping the future of the global space and satellite industry. Their commitment emphasises the growing recognition of Africa’s potential as a strategic player in the global space economy and highlights the key role of partnerships in driving sustainable growth, technological innovation, and investment in the sector.
Their participation reflects a collective effort to facilitate a thriving ecosystem where African and international stakeholders collaborate to address pressing challenges, bridge gaps in infrastructure and capabilities, and propel the industry toward a more inclusive and prosperous future.
Beyond their role in powering this high-level gathering, most of these 35 sponsors will also be exhibiting at the conference, providing attendees with firsthand access to cutting-edge technologies, breakthrough solutions, and transformative business opportunities shaping the global space and satellite industry. Therefore, their presence on the exhibition floor is a dynamic extension of the conference discussions, offering delegates a unique opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders, explore the latest innovations, and forge strategic partnerships that will drive Africa’s space economy forward.
Global Pavilions at the 2025 NSAC: Showcasing Innovation & Collaboration
A key highlight of the 2025 NSAC is the diverse lineup of organisations showcasing their latest advancements, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration to drive innovation in Africa’s space industry. The exhibition will feature dedicated pavilions from France (including CNES and other French space organisations), the United States (represented by the US Office of Space Commerce, NOAA, Maxar, Planet, Astranis, HawkEye 360, Slingshot Aerospace, and Princeton Satellite), Japan (represented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, ArkEdge and Kyutech), the European Commission, and other European organisations. These exhibitors will present cutting-edge technologies, exchange insights on industry trends, and engage with the global space community to explore new opportunities and partnerships.
Thirty-six leading companies across various industry segments, including the European Space Agency, CNES, Thales Alenia Space, MinoSpace, Airbus Defence and Space, Star.Vision, Omar Lens, Land Sea, RASCOM, SatNav JPO, and Promethee will also be on-site. They will showcase the latest innovations, demonstrate their capabilities, and share best practices with attendees, reinforcing their commitment to advancing space-driven solutions for Africa and beyond.
An Exhibition Driving Innovation and Business Growth
The exhibition space will serve as a site for engagement and discovery, offering attendees direct access to cutting-edge developments in satellite technology, satellite navigation, Earth observation, space-based connectivity, and more. Industry professionals, policymakers, and investors will gain valuable insights into market trends, explore investment opportunities, and participate in hands-on demonstrations of next-generation technologies.
Beyond product showcases, the exhibition presents a strategic platform for deal-making and networking. Delegates will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, develop new business partnerships, and explore collaborations that could shape the future of Africa’s space economy. As the industry continues its rapid growth, these exhibitions will highlight the current landscape and set the stage for future advancements, reinforcing Africa’s role in the global space ecosystem.
For industry professionals, policymakers, and investors, the exhibition presents a valuable platform for deal-making, networking, and hands-on demonstrations of the latest solutions tailored to Africa’s unique market needs. Attendees will gain exclusive access to product showcases, direct conversations with experts, and explore collaborative opportunities that could lead to new business ventures, strategic alliances, and technology transfers.
Launch of the EUR 100 Million Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme
A key outcome of international collaboration at the conference will be the official launch of the EUR 100 million Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme. This marks the beginning of the programme’s first phase, which will focus on institutional and technical capacity building while promoting innovation for long-term resilience and sustainable development.
As a flagship initiative under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, this investment aligns with broader efforts to enhance resilience, promote digital transformation, and advance climate action through cutting-edge space technologies. Furthermore, by strengthening Africa’s space capabilities, the programme will help build an equitable and strategic partnership between Africa and Europe, driving forward shared goals in economic development, environmental monitoring, and technological innovation.
Strengthening International Partnerships: Africa–EU, Japan–Africa, Italy–Africa, and U.S. Panels
In alignment with the conference’s core agenda of promoting bilateral and multilateral relationships between foreign actors and African institutions, this year’s event will feature high-level panels dedicated to Africa’s collaborations with the European Union (EU), Japan, Italy, and the United States.
These sessions will critically examine the diplomatic and strategic dynamics that shape international space partnerships and explore how such collaborations act as catalysts for advancing cooperation between Africa and global regions. Therefore, discussions will reflect on past and ongoing partnerships, including those between the EU and Africa, Japan and Africa, Italy and Africa, and the United States, and their tangible impacts on Africa’s space ecosystem. These impacts include significant advancements in agriculture, disaster management, climate resilience, and broader national development goals.
In addition, the panels will also address how future partnerships can be designed to align with broader development frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In particular, the U.S. panel will build on momentum from previous initiatives, including the U.S.–Africa Space Forum and the U.S.–Africa Commercial Space Stakeholders Meeting, further shaping the narrative around the evolving U.S.–Africa space cooperation.
MoUs and Strategic Partnerships
A defining feature of past conferences has been the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and partnerships initiated and, in many cases, finalised during the event. The conference catalyses introductions, negotiations, and agreements across various thematic areas, encouraging long-term collaborations that shape the global space industry.
With over 500 attendees from 300 institutions across 64 countries this year, the conference will again provide a premier platform for engagement. Bringing together key space actors globally facilitates strategic alliances, reduces duplication of efforts, and accelerates space technology development. Through direct collaboration with established organisations across all industry segments, companies and nations can leverage shared expertise to leapfrog their technological progress and drive meaningful advancements in the sector.
Insights on Government and Commercial Space Efforts: A Practical, Trend-Driven Agenda
The conference agenda ensures that discussions go beyond theory, providing practical, real-world insights that industry stakeholders can apply directly to their respective national and commercial space programs. By focusing on emerging trends across all industry segments, the sessions will highlight tangible developments, case studies, and best practices that attendees can learn from and implement.
This year’s event will feature over 100 seasoned speakers – African and international space experts – sharing their lived experiences, lessons learned, and proven strategies across various thematic areas. By engaging in dynamic, solution-oriented conversations, participants will gain valuable insights into overcoming challenges without unnecessary reinvention. Through direct peer learning and knowledge exchange, the conference will help accelerate progress, promote innovation, and drive strategic growth in Africa’s space sector.