13 May Africa–EU Space Partnership Launched – Advancing Collaboration in Space Technologies

At the 2025 NewSpace Africa Conference, recently held at the Egyptian Space City in Cairo, the African Union Commission and the European Union officially launched the Africa–EU Space Programme, a major step toward strengthening strategic cooperation in space technologies and related services. The launch reflects the EU’s renewed commitment to advancing sustainable development and fostering equitable partnerships with Africa through space-based innovation.

The event featured keynote addresses from H.E. Javier Niño Pérez, EU Ambassador to the African Union; H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE); and H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council. Each underscored the vital importance of Africa–EU space collaboration in unlocking shared benefits, enhancing technological progress, and supporting long-term development goals across both continents.

The Africa–EU Space Programme was officially launched following the recent signing of the EU’s EUR 100 million initiative aimed at strengthening space cooperation between Europe and Africa. This initiative represents a flagship component of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, reinforcing the shared commitment to using space technologies for sustainable development and resilience across both continents.

The first phase of the programme, valued at EUR 45 million, will focus on institutional and technical capacity building, while fostering innovation and long-term resilience. Key implementing partners include the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Space Agency (AfSA), and the European Space Agency (ESA). Additional contributors to this phase are the Agency for the Safety of Aviation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA), EUMETSAT, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

Ahead of the launch, a high-level panel titled “The Africa–EU Space Programme: A Deep Dive into a Renewed Partnership” was held, bringing together representatives from the programme’s implementing organisations. The discussion highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative and reaffirmed the partners’ shared commitment to its success. Areas of focus include capacity-building initiatives, private sector engagement, and structured AU-EU matchmaking for institutions, innovation ecosystems, and space marketplaces.

The Africa–EU Space Partnership Programme is a landmark initiative that reflects the shared commitment of Africa and the European Union to harness space technologies for economic development, climate resilience, and digital transformation. Building on decades of collaboration and introducing fresh streams of investment and technical support, the programme aims to strengthen Africa’s position in the global space economy while driving innovation, capacity building, and long-term resilience across the continent.