AfSA Inauguration Marks a New Era for African Space

Africa marked a historic step forward in its space journey on April 20, 2025, with the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA). The ceremony occurred at the new AfSA headquarters inside Egypt’s Space City, just outside Cairo.

This milestone capped nearly a decade of planning, which began with the African Union’s adoption of the African Space Policy and Strategy in 2016. The event gathered high-level delegates from across the African Union, national space agencies, and key international partners, including ESA, NASA, and the UAE Space Agency.

*AfSA and ESA delegations in Cairo. Credits: AfSA, ESA*

AfSA serves as the central hub for Africa’s collective space ambitions. The agency coordinates space activities across the continent, promotes collaboration, avoids duplication of efforts, and implements the African Space Policy and Strategy.

AfSA is governed by the African Space Council, with ten members representing all five regions of the continent. Backed by the African Union Commission, the agency will guide Africa’s engagement with international partners and oversee future missions.

A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding with the European Space Agency is among the first steps toward broad technical cooperation and joint space initiatives.

From Fragmented Efforts to Continental Vision

Africa’s engagement with space science began through individual national initiatives. In 1992, the Regional African Satellite Communication Organization (RASCOM) was launched with 45 member states to improve telecommunications across the continent. By 1998, two African Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education were established in Nigeria and Morocco, focusing on building technical capacity.

The early 2000s saw the proposal of the African Resource Management (ARM) satellite constellation, a collaborative effort by Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa to monitor natural resources. Despite these efforts, the lack of coordination led to fragmented progress in the continent’s space endeavors.

Recognizing the need for a unified approach, discussions about a pan-African space agency gained momentum. Inspired by the European Space Agency, the African Union included the idea in its 2009–2012 strategic plan.

*Secretary-General at Opening Ceremony of African Union 26th Session, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 2016. Credits: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe*

This culminated in the adoption of the African Space Policy and Strategy in January 2016, laying the groundwork for a coordinated continental space program. Subsequently, the African Space Agency Act was approved in 2017, providing the legal framework for establishing the African Space Agency (AfSA).

In 2019, Egypt was selected to host AfSA’s headquarters, pledging $10 million to support its establishment. A formal agreement between Egypt and the African Union Commission was signed in January 2023, leading to the inauguration of AfSA during the 2025 NewSpace Africa Conference in Cairo.

The Mother Continent Orbits as One With AfSA

Africa’s space journey is already well underway. From high-resolution Earth observation to satellite internet for remote schools, African nations are turning space technology into tangible benefits.

Satellite data helps track deforestation and illegal mining, monitor desertification and urban growth, and even forecast locust outbreaks before they decimate crops. Telecommunication satellites bridge connectivity gaps across rural and landlocked areas, powering distance learning, telemedicine, and digital inclusion.

*View of Africa compiled with optical images from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission. Credits: ESA*

In astronomy, African scientists contribute to global discovery while building technical expertise that fuels broader innovation. Navigation and positioning systems support everything from smarter logistics to disaster preparedness, making space a tool for sustainable growth.

The AfSA is set to accelerate this momentum through specific programs dedicated to space activities. Rather than launching rockets, the agency connects the dots: coordinating national initiatives, aligning space efforts with Agenda 2063, and strengthening Africa’s voice in global space governance.

Its role is to foster homegrown capacity, reduce external dependency, and guide shared missions in climate resilience, connectivity, and education. Initiatives like the GMES & Africa programme, a joint Earth observation effort by the African and European Union, demonstrate how structured collaboration and improved data access can strengthen institutional capacity and support evidence-based policymaking across the continent.

As regional capabilities and cooperation deepen, AfSA makes Africa a growing player in the global space landscape.