Africa Makes History With Inauguration Of African Space Agency.
Africa marked a historic milestone on Sunday, 20 April 2025, with the official inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) during the NewSpace Africa Conference. The prestigious event brought together dignitaries from around the globe, including ministers, ambassadors, and leading figures from the international space community.
Dr Valanathan Munsami, former Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Chair of the African Union Space Working Group, provided historical context to the establishment of the African Space Policy and Strategy. He highlighted Africa’s unique opportunity to lead in the global space sector through unity, innovation, and sustainable development.
The ceremony was graced with goodwill messages from senior representatives of prominent global space organisations. These included Marco Ferrazzani, Director of Internal Services at the European Space Agency (ESA); Karen Feldstein, Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations at NASA; H.E. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency; Jean-Marc Astorg, Director of Strategy at the French Space Agency (CNES); Mr Kikuchi Koichi, Deputy Director of International Relations and Research at JAXA (Japan); Dr Driss El-Hadani, Deputy Director at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA); and Mr Luca Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency, among others. Their presence reaffirmed strong international support for Africa’s space ambitions.
Leaders of national space agencies from Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Egypt, representing the Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern regions of Africa, delivered remarks that underscored the continent’s commitment to collaborative space development.
A significant highlight of the occasion was the official unveiling of the African Space Agency’s logo. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding between AfSA and the European Space Agency was signed, symbolising deeper institutional cooperation. As a gesture of goodwill, ESA presented AfSA with a flag that had journeyed into space.
High-level addresses from H.E. Mr Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Social Communication of Angola; Dr Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Affairs; and H.E. Mr Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, reinforced the political will behind Africa’s burgeoning space future.
The event commenced with a welcome address by H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Council, and featured a keynote address delivered by H.E. Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, on behalf of H.E. Professor Dr Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt. The keynote emphasised the strategic importance of space to Africa’s development trajectory and celebrated Egypt’s role in hosting the African Space Agency.
The inauguration, hosted by Dr Temidayo Oniosun, Managing Director of Space in Africa, concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially opening the African Space Agency headquarters.
This landmark event not only marked the operational beginning of AfSA but also cemented Africa’s commitment to space sovereignty, scientific advancement, and continental integration. With the African Space Agency now operational, Africa has firmly positioned itself as a key player in the future of global science, technology, and innovation.
