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BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
The African Space Agency (AfSA) was formally inaugurated on Sunday, April 20, 2025, during the prestigious NewSpace Africa Conference, drawing dignitaries from across the globe.
The event marking a historic milestone for the continent witnessed the presence of high-level representatives, including ministers and ambassadors from various countries, signifying the global importance and support for Africa’s entry into the competitive space sector.
Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Valanathan Munsami, former CEO of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Chair of the African Union Space Working Group, underscored the continent’s unique position to assume leadership in the global space industry.
He traced the historical roots of the initiative, referencing the development of the African Space Policy and Strategy, and stressed the role of unity, innovation, and sustainable development in ensuring Africa’s long-term success in the space domain.
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from top representatives of global space institutions, including Marco Ferrazzani, Director of Internal Services, European Space Agency (ESA); Karen Feldstein, Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); H.E. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General, UAE Space Agency; Jean-Marc Astorg, Director of Strategy, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales – CNES; Mr. KIKUCHI Koichi, the Deputy Director of International Relations and Research Department, JAXA (Japan); Dr Driss El-Hadani, Deputy Director, UNOOSA; Mr. Luca Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency among others, reaffirming international support for Africa’s space ambitions.
African national heads of space agencies from Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Egypt, representing Central, East, West, North, and Southern Africa, delivered remarks showcasing regional commitments to collaborative space development.
A significant highlight of the event was the official unveiling of the African Space Agency logo and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AfSA and the European Space Agency, during which the ESA gave a goodwill gift of the ESA flag that had been to space to the African Space Agency, marking the beginning of deeper institutional cooperation.
At the inaugural event, high-level addresses from H.E. Mr. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Social Communication, Angola, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Affairs, and H.E, Mr Moses Vilakati – Commissioner, Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) Department, AUC, reinforced the political will driving Africa’s space future.
H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Council, delivered the welcome address, while H.E. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Egypt, representing H.E. Prof. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, delivered the keynote, emphasising the strategic importance of space to Africa’s development trajectory and the symbolism of the Egypt 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 declaring the African Space Agency building operational.
The event cemented Africa’s commitment to space sovereignty and continental integration and positioned AfSA as a central institution in Africa’s science, technology, and innovation future.
