22 Jan A New Chapter in Africa–France Space Cooperation

Today, the African Space Agency (AfSA) and the French space agency, Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), formally strengthened their long-standing partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing Africa’s space agenda. The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council, on behalf of AfSA.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by:

·       H.E. Amb. Ali Drouiche, African Union Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States and Head of the AU Cairo Office; and

·       H.E. Amb. Éric Chevallier, Ambassador of France to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Through this MoU, AfSA and CNES commit to working together to co-create and implement space-based solutions, with a strong focus on Earth Observation applications, capacity building and training, and the creation of opportunities for public-private collaboration. The partnership aims to support Africa’s development priorities, strengthen institutional and technical cooperation, foster innovation involving the private sector, and promote the peaceful, sustainable, and responsible use of outer space.

This agreement reflects a shared vision of space as a strategic enabler for development, resilience, skills development, and economic opportunity across Africa, while reinforcing Africa’s role as a coordinated and credible actor in the global space ecosystem.

A strong step forward, for Africa, for France, and for the future of space cooperation.