African Space Agency Operational
Africa has entered the global space arena with the launch of the African Space Agency (AfSA) on April 20 at the agency's permanent headquarters in Egypt’s Space City, Cairo, Egypt.
According to Space Africa, this event marks the result of nearly a decade of strategic planning that began in January 2016, when the African Union Assembly adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy, establishing the framework for a coordinated continental approach to space activities. The African Space Agency, which is comprised of 55 member states, claims its mission is to promote collaboration amongst African nations and other regions in harnessing space science and technology for Africa's socio-economic development, promoting collaborative research and peaceful exploration of outer space. AfSA will focus on areas such as Earth observation, satellite development, and space science.
Government officials believe the inauguration will provide essential space-based services to Africa. Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, expressed hope for internet services to reach all of Africa, digitize institutions, enhance efficiency, and improve accessibility for citizens. The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from the African Union Commission, representatives from African governments and space agencies, ambassadors from African and foreign countries based in Egypt, members of the AfSA Council, and delegates from the global space community.
Africa's space programs are backed by a coalition of nations sharing a vision for technological progress, with each country contributing its expertise to AfSA's mission of empowering Africa through space. The event naturally drew international space community leaders, such as Marco Ferrazzani, director of internal services at the European Space Agency, who said that: "ESA is proud to [be] partnering with this new regional space agency. Collaboration with Africa dates back three decades and today ESA even runs a dedicated EOAFRICA Initiative. With AfSA, this cooperation will be brought up to the next level."
Luca Maria Salamone, director general of the Italian Space Agency; Karen Feldstein, NASA’s associate administrator for International Relations; Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, director General of the UAE Space Agency were also in attendance. Also present were Jean-Marc Astorg, director of strategy at France’s National Centre for Space Studies, Kikuchi Koichi, deputy director of the International Relations and Research Department at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Driss El-Hadani, Deputy Director of United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.
African space leadership was prominently represented by members of the African Space Council, led by Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the AfSA Council, and 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 representatives from space institutions within and beyond Africa. The inauguration also marked the start of the 2025 NewSpace Africa Conference, where over 500 delegates from 64+ countries gathered to discuss space innovation and collaboration in Africa.
Government officials believe the inauguration will provide essential space-based services to Africa. Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, expressed hope for internet services to reach all of Africa, digitize institutions, enhance efficiency, and improve accessibility for citizens.