Senegal’s Military and Space Agency Sign MoU to Promote Space Cooperation
The General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGA) and the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies (ASES) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), establishing a strategic cooperation framework between the defence and space sectors. The agreement represents a significant milestone in Senegal’s efforts to strengthen national defence capabilities while laying the foundations of a sovereign and structured space sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lieutenant General Mbaye Cissé, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, underscored the historic nature of the agreement:
“This signing is historic. We are taking a decisive step for the future today. This memorandum is of major strategic significance.”
The partnership reflects a broader national ambition to integrate space capabilities into key areas of public policy, with security identified as a principal priority. Maram Kaïré, Director General of ASES, emphasised the long-term vision behind the initiative:
“By creating ASES, the State of Senegal has a clear ambition: to make the space sector a cross-cutting lever to impact all areas, and security as a priority. This partnership will stimulate innovation, strengthen our sovereignty, and build the skills of tomorrow.”
The project will also benefit from the technical support of PROMÉTHÉE Earth Intelligence, a European leader in Earth observation. PROMÉTHÉE will assist in the joint development of Senegal’s sovereign space capabilities through a sustainable, inclusive, and long-term approach. The agreement, set for an initial duration of five years, is a core component of Senegal’s national space strategy. Additionally, it affirms the country’s commitment to building strategic autonomy, advancing defence readiness, and asserting itself as a key actor in space development on the African continent.
Space and Defence
Across Africa, the crossover of space and defence strategies is becoming increasingly prominent, as nations recognise the strategic importance of satellite technologies for surveillance, secure communications, and national security. Countries like Nigeria are advancing dual-use space capabilities through their Defence Space Administration. Egypt’s TIBA-1 communications satellite demonstrates how space assets support civilian and military objectives. Senegal’s new partnership between its Armed Forces and the national space agency aligns with this continental trend, positioning space as a vital component of sovereignty and defence readiness.