The inaugural edition of the African Space Solution Market (MASS), held from May 6 to 8, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, marked a historic milestone in Africa’s journey toward establishing a unified and dynamic space ecosystem. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Exhibition Centre in Port-Bouët, the event brought together over 12,000 participants and more than 60 exhibitors from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States. MASS 2025 served as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and strategic dialogue, setting a strong precedent for future editions.

A Grand Opening Ceremony with High-Level Support  

The inaugural African Space Solution Market (MASS) 2025 commenced with a ceremony of remarkable political significance, signalling Côte d’Ivoire’s emergence as a continental leader in space affairs. The opening proceedings demonstrated the highest levels of government commitment to Africa’s space development agenda under the distinguished authority of H.E. Mr. Téné Birahima Ouattara, Minister of State and Minister of Defence.  

 

The ceremony’s institutional importance was amplified by the participation of three key cabinet members who jointly presided over proceedings:  

• H.E. Prof. Adama Diawara (Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research) – Representing Côte d’Ivoire’s academic and research priorities in space science  
• H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Kalil Konaté (Minister of Digital Transition and Digitisation) – Signifying the crucial intersection between space technologies and Africa’s digital transformation  
• H.E. Mr. Souleymane Diarrassouba (Minister of Commerce and Industry) – Highlighting the commercial and industrial dimensions of space development, who formally declared the event open  

The diplomatic corps’ strong attendance included:  

• Ambassadors from space-faring nations, including France, the United States, China, and Japan  
• Representatives from multilateral organisations such as the African Union Commission 

The corporate and academic sectors were equally well-represented by:  

• CEOs of major pan-African technology firms and space startups  
• Vice-Chancellors from leading African universities with space science programs  
• Directors of regional research institutions focused on satellite technology and Earth observation  

The opening event successfully established the political framework for subsequent discussions, demonstrating how space technology has become a strategic priority at the highest levels of African governance. The strong ministerial participation particularly underscored the multidimensional nature of space development, encompassing defence, education, digital infrastructure, and economic policy, while setting a tone of serious intergovernmental cooperation for the remainder of the conference.

The Exhibition: A Global Showcase of Space Innovation  

The MASS 2025 exhibition was the event’s central attraction, transforming the Port-Bouët Exhibition Centre into a dynamic hub of technological innovation and international collaboration. The exhibition floor brought together many stakeholders from across the global space ecosystem, offering attendees firsthand access to groundbreaking advancements shaping Africa’s space future.  

Distinguished Participants & Institutional Presence  

The exhibition boasted participation from over 60 leading organisations, including International Space Agencies and organisations, the European Space Agency (ESA), the French Space Agency (CNES), Airbus Defence and Space, Air Côte d’Ivoire, SAH Analytics, Africa Earth Observation Services (AFEOS), Jeztek, and Virtib.

Furthermore, professional associations, including EARSC (European Association of Remote Sensing Companies) and the Order of Surveyors of Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrated geospatial tools for land management.

1. Cutting-Edge Technology Showcases

Attendees engaged with transformative technologies across multiple areas:  

Earth Observation & Geospatial Intelligence  

• Live demonstrations of real-time satellite monitoring for climate change tracking  
• Precision mapping tools for infrastructure development and natural resource management  

Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity  

• Machine learning algorithms for analysing satellite imagery of agricultural lands  
• Secure satellite communication systems with quantum encryption capabilities  

Defence & Security Applications  

• Border surveillance systems combining satellite and drone technologies  
• Early warning systems for natural disasters and conflict prevention  

Smart Agriculture Solutions

• Satellite-guided irrigation systems for water conservation  
• Crop health monitoring platforms using multispectral imaging  

Interactive Experiences & Knowledge Exchange: The exhibition went beyond static displays to offer:  

• Hands-on demonstration pods where visitors could manipulate satellite data  
• Daily “Tech Talk” sessions featuring 15-minute innovation spotlights  
• Country pavilions highlighting national space capabilities from across Africa  
• Matchmaking services connecting African startups with international investors  

2. Hands-on Workshops: Engaging the Public

Interactive workshops catered to students and the general public, including:  

• Introduction to space sciences  
• Rocket and robotics demonstrations  
• Immersive astronomy experiences led by the Ivorian Astronomy Association  
• Virtual space exploration using augmented reality tools  

3. Sectoral Meet-ups: Thematic Dialogues

These sessions addressed critical challenges and opportunities in Africa’s space sector:  

• Space Tourism: Led by the Director General of Côte d’Ivoire Tourism  
• Digital Inclusion: Organised by the National Agency for Universal Telecommunications Services (ANSUT)  
• Regulation and Innovation: Hosted by ARTCI, the Ivorian telecom and ICT regulatory authority  

4. The Agora Space: Dynamic Demonstrations

A dedicated platform where key players like ESA, EARSC, Airbus, and SAH Analytics presented solutions and engaged with stakeholders, promoting meaningful interactions.  

Strategic Hackathons: Driving Innovation  

MASS 2025 featured two high-profile hackathons aimed at solving real-world challenges:  

ICESCO Hackathon: AI & Smart Agriculture 

Organised in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), the Ministry of Higher Education, and SAER Group, this competition engaged nine youth teams to develop solutions under the theme: “AI and Space Technologies: Innovative and Operational Solutions for Smart Agriculture.”  

The top three teams received trophies, cash prizes, and opportunities for international exposure, including mentorship from the African Space Agency’s Council, led by H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, the President of the Council.  

MASS Hackathon: Earth Observation for Territorial Security  

The hackathon leveraged ICT and Earth observation to enhance infrastructure management and territorial safety. Organised as a collaborative effort between international institutions, African partners, and the private sector, the hackathon challenged participants to develop practical, scalable solutions leveraging satellite data, AI, and geospatial technologies to address critical security and infrastructure challenges across the continent.  

Strategic Partnerships & Institutional Backing 

The hackathon was made possible through the support of a powerful coalition of organisations, each contributing expertise, funding, and technical resources:  

European Union (as part of the Global Gateway Strategy)  

• Provided a EUR 6,000 prize pool to incentivise high-impact solutions  
• Reinforced the EU’s commitment to sustainable development and digital transformation in Africa  
• Facilitated access to **Copernicus Earth observation data** for participants  

SAH Analytics (Technical & Financial Partner)  

• Supplied learning tools for satellite imagery analysis  
• Committed to incubating the top solutions post-event 

Other partners include Gouvernance in Africa / D4D Hub, Expertise France and Order of Surveyors of Côte d’Ivoire. 

Diplomacy, Youth Engagement, and Knowledge Transfer  

Under the leadership of H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, high-level B2B meetings were held to strengthen partnerships across government, academia, and the private sector. A notable outreach initiative included visiting the Alassane Ouattara Excellence High School in Grand-Bassam, where over 500 students were inspired to pursue careers in space and advanced technologies.  

Celebratory Galas and Honours: Recognising Excellence in Africa’s Space Sector  

The event concluded with two prestigious galas:  

The first was the MASS Distinction Gala, which set out to honour Africa’s space pioneers, recognising exceptional contributions to continental space development through three carefully selected honours:

1. H.E. Prof. Adama Diawara – MASS Award for Institutional Leadership

Honoured for his visionary work as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and his unwavering support and foundational role in developing Côte d’Ivoire’s space sector since 2019.

2. Dr Temidayo Oniosun – MASS Award for African Space Integration & Influence

He is recognised for his transformative work through Space in Africa and his visionary leadership and pioneering role in uniting Africa’s space ecosystem through the NewSpace Africa Conference, a major continental reference.

3. Madame Ouafae Karim – MASS Award for Female Leadership & Intergenerational Transmission

Celebrated for her groundbreaking initiatives and her tireless advocacy for women and youth inclusion in Africa’s space ecosystem, through industry-academia mentorship pipelines

The second was the SAH Analytics Gala, an exclusive networking platform for MASS VIP guests.

Looking Ahead: The Future of MASS  

MASS 2025 successfully established itself as Africa’s premier business hub for space-based solutions, blending innovation, outreach, and policy engagement. The organising committee has already begun preparations for the next edition, driven by the same ambition: to propel Africa into the future through space.  

This landmark event showcased Africa’s potential in the global space economy and laid the groundwork for sustained collaboration and growth in the continent’s space sector.