12 Feb The Future of the African Space Agency  (AfSA) Towards Advancing the Africa We Want

The African Space Agency, embedded in its vision of creating an African space Programme that is user-focused, competitive, efficient and innovative, was established in 2018 by Article 5(2) of the Constitutive Act as an Organ of the African Union as a response to address Africa’s growing needs for space technologies for economic, environmental, and social development. Based in Cairo, Egypt, it is a premier pan-African agency to advocate, advise, and coordinate the development and utilisation of space science and technology and the associated regulations for the benefit of the African people and the world. AfSA plays the most critical role in intra-African and international collaboration toward advancements in space science, technology, and innovation.

AfSA also aims to undertake strategic partnerships and initiatives that ensure that space will serve as an instrument for sustainable development in Africa amidst pressing challenges associated with climate change, resource management, and connectivity. Since its inception, the Agency has achieved tremendous milestones, placing the continent as the key player within the global space ecosystem.

The African Space Agency has two strategic goals that are:

1. Space-derived products and services are used for decision-making and addressing economic, political, social and environmental challenges.
2. Developing and increasing an indigenous space capability, in both the private and the public sectors, for a coordinated, effective and innovative African-led space Programme.

Importance of Space Applications:

Through the African Space Agency (AfSA) strategy, we are cognizant that Africa continues to face serious challenges in ensuring adequate provision of basic necessities, such as food, shelter, a clean and healthy environment, and proper education for its growing population. However, recognising the significant progress made in advancing space applications, member states and partners need to leverage these technologies to address some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, disaster management, agriculture, education, and connectivity. Space applications are crucial in the following ways:

• Environmental Monitoring: Satellites are effective tools for assessing and managing natural resources and addressing climate-related challenges.
• Earth Observation: Gathering data and information about Earth’s physical, chemical, meteorological, and biological systems using in situ, aerial, and space-borne platforms to monitor and assess the status of changes in both the natural and built environment.
• Disaster Management: It is essential in early warnings and aiding responses to natural and man-made disasters.
• Satellite Communication: Satellites placed in orbit are essential for aiding telecommunications across vast and remote areas.
• Education and Healthcare: Equipping remote areas with better access to education and health facilities through satellite connectivity.
• Transportation: Space technologies contribute to sustainable development by improving transportation services that facilitate better mobility, enhance commerce, and ensure access to education and health services.
• Agriculture: Space-based information systems optimise agricultural practices and improve productivity in one of Africa’s most important economic sectors.

In addition, AfSA is committed to promoting the empowerment of women and youth through space-related activities, ensuring inclusive participation and benefits from these transformative technologies, as well as the rallying call for young Africans and women to take the lead in the protection, implementation and utilisation of the Space applications towards advancing the continent we want.

Key Updates and Achievements:

Since its establishment, we have been able to incorporate practices meant to advance social, political and economic integration, leveraging on notable accomplishments through:

1. Leadership and Governance: AfSA has a governance and management framework comprising the African Space Council, the Advisory Committee, and the Director General. Since its establishment, the leadership has changed in the membership of the Council; there are currently nine out of ten members, with one or two representatives of each of the five African regions. The remaining members from Central Africa will be elected during the 2025 AU Ordinary Summit. The term of office for the council members, renewable, will be for a four-year period beginning July 2024, having taken an oath of office. These members include H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara from Côte d’Ivoire, president of the council, and Madam Tandikile, vice president from Malawi, who also serves full-time.
2. Africa-EU Space Partnership: AfSA and the European Commission have signed the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme, securing €45 million of the €100 million Global Gateway initiative; this partnership is part of the flagship Global Gateway strategy of the EU aimed at consolidating sustainable development, green transition, and digitisation within the African continent. The program will be officially inaugurated in April 2025 during the New Space Africa Conference in Cairo, Egypt. Read more here.
3. AfSA continues implementing Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa Phase II. It is a joint Africa Union and European Union program aimed at providing Earth observation data and services to support environmental protection, security, and sustainable development while discussions are ongoing for the upcoming Phase III.

Upcoming Events:

With a busy schedule ahead, including the upcoming AU summit, here is a list of key events we aim to prioritise in 2025:

• The First AfSA Council meeting (15^th – 19^th April 2025, in Cairo – Egypt)
• Inauguration of the African Space Agency (20^th April 2025, In Cairo- Egypt)
• NewSpace Africa Conference in April 2025 (21^st – 25^th April 2025, in Cairo – Egypt)
• African Space Solutions Market (MASS) (6-8 May 2025, in Abidjan – Cote d’Ivoire)
• The Second AfSA Council meeting (November 2025, in Cairo – Egypt)
• GMES and Africa Phase II, 2^nd Forum, (November 2025, Cairo – Egypt)

AfSA is extensive in its approach and, hence, very open to partnering with member states, regional organisations, private sector stakeholders, and international partners. These partnerships will serve as a gateway to opening new frontiers in space science and technology for sustainable development that will equitably be felt throughout the continent and beyond. We invite collaboration in projects, capacity-building programs, and research initiatives that will further enhance space science as a driver for Africa’s growth and development.

For more information about these events or AfSA’s initiatives, visit the official website here. 

For further information, please contact:

1. Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou, Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN. E-mail: yamboue@africa-uinon.org, Tel:+251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)
2. Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng, Communication Officer,  Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission. E-mail: OchiengJ@africa-union.org
3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar, Senior Communication Officer, Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission. E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org
4. The Information and Communication  Directorate:  African Union Commission. E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org. Follow  us on social media:  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  YouTube