The Senegalese Agency for Space Studies (ASES) hosted the inaugural Senegal Space Week 2025 on May 15 and 16, 2025, at the King Fahd Palace in Dakar. The two-day event convened national and international experts, institutional representatives, and development partners to discuss strategies for advancing Senegal’s role in space exploration and technology. The two-day programme featured the signing of several cooperation agreements, expert panel discussions on key issues surrounding Senegal’s space ecosystem, and multi-sectoral participation from diverse audiences, such as diplomats and international, technical, and financial partners.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, represented by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, officiated the opening ceremony, which marked the beginning of two days of focused dialogue. Additionally, the ceremony’s remarks highlighted common interests in utilising space as a key resource for socio-economic development. Further, they encouraged a more cohesive approach and synergy in the space ecosystem.
Panel Discussions
The Senegal Space Week 2025 featured a series of panel discussions highlighting topics such as the role of satellite connectivity, space surveillance, satellite manufacturing and launch, financing the space ecosystem, and space as a catalyst for socio-economic advancements. The first panel, titled “Reinventing Connectivity through Satellite: Future Opportunities for Equitable Access to Services for the State and Citizens,” focused on the role of satellite technology in enabling access to widespread essential services across the country.
The second panel, titled “Space Surveillance: Challenges and Perspectives of Space Defence,” examined the strategic importance of safeguarding space assets in the context of cybersecurity, national defence, and space sovereignty. Moderated by Mr Maram Kaïré, the discussion brought together high-level representatives from the defence and security sectors. The conversation underscored the growing importance of incorporating space considerations into Africa’s broader defence and security frameworks. It highlighted the need for coordinated policy responses to emerging risks in outer space.
The Space Platform session, titled “Manufacture of Satellites and Launchers: How to Boost an Industry for Africa”, explored the continent’s potential to build a self-sustaining and competitive space industry. The panellists emphasised Africa’s capacity to innovate and compete globally, provided that the right investments and partnerships are mobilised to support industrial development across the continent. Furthermore, this reflects previous conversations during the 2025 NewSpace Africa Conference that highlighted Africa’s satellite manufacturing ecosystem, examining how innovative technologies, strategic investments, and regional collaborations are propelling the continent into the international space manufacturing landscape.
The fourth panel, “Financing the Space Ecosystem: Actors, Roles and Expectations for the Development of Space Initiatives,” brought together key figures from the financial and investment sectors to examine the mechanisms needed to sustain and scale space-related projects in Africa. Financing of large-scale infrastructure projects has been a backbone to the success of major space-related development projects in Africa, such as satellite programmes. The session facilitated a dialogue between financiers and policymakers on creating enabling conditions for long-term investment in space.
Click here to access the 2025 African Space Budget Report, which provides an in-depth analysis of how African governments continue to invest and finance their space programmes.
The final panel featured discussions on the role of the space sector in enabling entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among young people and emerging businesses. The session explored the support mechanisms available to space-focused start-ups, the broader employment potential of space technologies, and the need to build a well-structured, responsive ecosystem that can translate innovation into sustainable economic opportunity.
Cooperation Agreements Signed
At the two-day event, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC Sénégal) and the Senegalese Space Study Agency (ASES). The partnership aims to facilitate the financing of space-related projects while contributing to developing a sustainable ecosystem that supports innovation and strengthens Senegal’s technological autonomy.
Another agreement was formalised between Solafune, Inc., represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Ren Uechi and ASES. The Japanese firm(Solafune, Inc.), which specialises in applying artificial intelligence to satellite data, will support the development of practical solutions for priority sectors in Senegal, including agriculture, disaster management, maritime surveillance, mining, and fisheries.
The Senegal Space Week also marked the successful conclusion of its SPACEBUS2025 national tour, a monumental outreach campaign that reached thousands of young people across 14 regions and more than 25 stops. Launched under the leadership of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the initiative played a central role in cultivating interest in space science and technology among the country’s youth, reinforcing Senegal’s broader ambition to build a future-oriented, knowledge-driven society.