African Space Agency Now Operational

Africa’s long-standing ambitions in space took a historic step forward today, April 20, 2025, with the official inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) at its permanent headquarters in Egypt’s Space City, Cairo. The landmark event marks the culmination of nearly a decade of strategic groundwork 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 framework for a coordinated continental approach to space activities.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by a prestigious group of guests, including African Union Commission officials, representatives from African governments and space agencies, ambassadors from African and foreign nations based in Egypt, members of the AfSA Council, and high-level delegates from the global space community. This gathering highlighted the pan-African and international importance of the milestone event.

Distinguished Attendees  

The inauguration ceremony was graced by an esteemed assembly of high-ranking dignitaries, including H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, represented by H.E. Mr. Moses Vilakati, AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment; H.E. Professor Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, represented by H.E. Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; H.E. Mr. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Social Communication; and H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs.  

The event also drew prominent international space community leaders, such as Mr 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, NASA’s Associate Administrator for International Relations; H.E. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency; Mr Jean-Marc Astorg, Director of Strategy at France’s Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES); Mr Kikuchi Koichi, Deputy Director of the International Relations and Research Department at JAXA; and Dr Driss El-Hadani, Deputy Director of UNOOSA.  

African space leadership was strongly represented by members of the African Space Council, led by H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the AfSA Council, and Ms Thandikile Mbvundula, Vice President. Other key figures included Dr Valanathan Munsami, Chancellor of the International Space University and former CEO of the South African National Space Agency, alongside heads of national space agencies across the continent and distinguished representatives from space institutions within and beyond Africa. 

Excerpt from the Programme

Documentary Presentation: “Africa’s Journey to Space”

A professionally produced documentary provided comprehensive context for Africa’s space endeavours. The presentation traced the continent’s historical interest in space technology, highlighted early national space programmes from Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya, and documented the collaborative process that led to the adoption of the African Space Policy and Strategy in 2016. The documentary further illustrated the space capabilities across African nations at the time, including existing satellite programmes, ground facilities, and research initiatives, while outlining the strategic vision that necessitated a unified continental approach through the African Space Agency (AfSA).

Messages from the Global Space Community  

• Marco Ferrazzani (Director of Internal Services, European Space Agency) highlighted the significance of this occasion, coinciding with ESA’s 50th anniversary and the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA). He emphasised that through equitable and fair collaboration, he hopes to celebrate another milestone in 50 years, when ESA turns 100 and AfSA turns 50, not just as anniversaries, but as two continental institutions that have made transformative contributions to the global space community.  

• Mr Luca Maria Salamone (Director General, Italian Space Agency) expressed Italy’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa, particularly through partnerships like the one with Kenya. He noted the recent renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for Kenyan personnel at the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi, covering 2025–2028, which aims to promote a supportive work environment. Salamone reiterated Italy’s intent to work closely with AfSA, ESA, and other partners to avoid duplication of efforts and maximise synergies.  
• Ms Karen Feldstein (Associate Administrator for International Relations, NASA) reaffirmed NASA and the U.S.’s dedication to collaborating with Africa, citing the Artemis Accords, signed by Angola, Nigeria, and Rwanda, alongside numerous bilateral agreements to enhance commercial and governmental space utilisation for sustainable development. She pledged that NASA would remain a reliable partner, ensuring collaborations yielded tangible results that would swiftly elevate Africa as a space power.  

• H.E. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi (Director General, UAE Space Agency) highlighted regional cooperation through initiatives like the Emirates Mars Mission and the Arab Space Cooperation Group. He pledged to expand ongoing collaborations with African nations into robust, continent-wide programs that accelerate space development.  

• Jean-Marc Astorg (Director of Strategy, CNES) underscored France’s enduring partnership with Africa, spanning satellite development and training programs. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with AfSA, outlining three key pillars: legal, technical, and scientific cooperation. He also announced plans to sign an MoU with AfSA in June in Paris.  

• Mr Kikuchi Koichi (Deputy Director of International Relations and Research Department, JAXA) congratulated AfSA and reaffirmed Japan’s support for African space initiatives, such as the BIRDS project, enabling multiple African nations to develop and launch nanosatellites. He emphasised Japan’s commitment to more coordinated efforts through AfSA.  

• Dr Driss El-Hadani (Deputy Director, UNOOSA) reiterated UNOOSA’s dedication to universal space accessibility through programs like “Space for All”. He outlined key areas of collaboration with AfSA, including capacity building, support for an African space mission legal framework, Earth observation for environmental monitoring, and facilitating African participation in COPUOS.  

• Prof Sherif Sedky (CEO, EgSA) hailed AfSA’s inauguration as a milestone in Africa’s space exploration journey, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted Egypt’s USD 20 million investment in AfSA’s infrastructure and its pioneering initiatives, such as the African Training Programme (graduating 71 specialists from 34 nations) and the African Development Satellite (AfDevSat) project, aimed at combating climate change through space data.  
• H.E. Dr Tidiane Outtara, President of the African Space Council, commended the collective efforts of partners, nations, and institutions in realising AfSA. He thanked Egypt for its leadership and pledged AfSA’s relentless work to establish space as critical infrastructure for governance across Africa.  
• H.E. Dr Ayman Ashour (Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, representing the Prime Minister) stressed that AfSA’s launch reflects Egypt’s unwavering commitment to advancing pan-African scientific progress, vowing continued support for continental development initiatives.  

AfSA Logo Unveiling  

The inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) reached a symbolic milestone by unveiling its official logo, designed by Remy Fadhil Bouelet, a talented Cameroonian artist who emerged as the winner of the AfSA Logo Competition. The contest, which drew 113 unique submissions from 19 African nations, was launched to engage young, visionary Africans in shaping the agency’s identity, a testament to AfSA’s commitment to participatory ownership and inclusive progress.  

Goodwill Messages from African Space Agency Leaders

Representatives from Africa’s regional space agencies delivered resounding messages of unity and commitment to AfSA’s success:  

1. Dr Aboubakar Mambimba (Director General, AGEOS; Central Africa)  
2. Brig. Hilary Kipkosgey (Director General, KSA; Eastern Africa)  
3. Dr Matthew Adepoju (CEO, NASRDA; Western Africa)  
4. Zolana Rui João (Director General, GGPEN; Southern Africa)  
5. Prof Sherif Sedky (Director General, EgSA; North Africa)  

Together, they emphasised Africa’s collective strength, goodwill, and unwavering dedication to ensuring AfSA’s sustainability as a continental institution.  

AfSA and ESA Sign Historic MoU

A key highlight of the event was signing a Memorandum of Understanding between H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the AfSA Council, and Marco Ferrazzani, Director of Internal Services at the ESA. This partnership will:  

1. Strengthen Earth observation programs for climate monitoring and natural resource management.  
2. Expand joint training initiatives for African space professionals.  
3. Provide technical support for AfSA’s institutional development.  

The agreement builds on existing collaborations, reinforcing a shared vision for a robust African space ecosystem.  

Closing Moments and Networking  

Following the formal proceedings, delegates toured the AfSA headquarters, engaging in networking sessions to lay the groundwork for future collaborations. The discussions set a strong precedent for the upcoming four-day NewSpace Africa Conference, kicking off tomorrow (April 21–24), an event poised to further accelerate Africa’s space ambitions.