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In a landmark moment for the continent’s technological evolution, the African Space Agency (AfSA) was formally inaugurated on Sunday, April 20, 2025, during the NewSpace Africa Conference. The historic launch drew ministers, ambassadors, and global dignitaries, cementing Africa’s entry into a new era of space exploration, innovation, and sovereignty.
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The inaugural ceremony, hosted in Egypt, brought together representatives from global space agencies, including NASA, ESA, JAXA, CNES, UAE Space Agency, UNOOSA, and others, all reaffirming their support for Africa’s growing role in the global space economy.
Dr. Valanathan Munsami, former CEO of SANSA and Chair of the African Union Space Working Group, delivered a powerful speech highlighting the journey towards Africa’s space vision, rooted in the African Space Policy and Strategy. He emphasized that Africa, through unity and innovation, can lead in building a sustainable, inclusive global space future.
African Space Agency is a beacon for technological sovereignty
“Africa has a unique opportunity to leapfrog and lead with purpose. The African Space Agency is a beacon for technological sovereignty and continental cooperation,” Dr. Munsami stated.
Key moments included the unveiling of the AfSA logo and a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between AfSA and the European Space Agency (ESA). In a gesture of solidarity, ESA presented AfSA with a symbolic gift—an ESA flag that had traveled to space, symbolizing the dawn of intercontinental cooperation.
Collaborative space development can transform Africa
African heads of national space agencies from Nigeria, Egypt, Angola, Kenya, and Gabon—representing West, North, Central, East, and Southern Africa—shared regional perspectives on how collaborative space development can transform agriculture, communication, environmental monitoring, and national security.
High-level political support was reaffirmed in keynote addresses by:
- H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council
- H.E. Mr. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications
- Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Foreign Minister
- H.E. Mr. Moses Vilakati, AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment
- H.E. Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education (on behalf of PM Dr. Mostafa Madbouly)
In his keynote, H.E. Ayman Ashour emphasized the symbolic and strategic importance of Egypt hosting AfSA, describing it as a bold step in positioning Africa as a space and technology power on the global stage.
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting event declaring the African Space Agency building fully operational, hosted by Dr. Temidayo Oniosun, Managing Director of Space in Africa.
This milestone marks a critical turning point in Africa’s space governance, laying the institutional foundation for continent-wide coordination in space science, satellite development, Earth observation, and space-driven socioeconomic growth.
