The African Space Agency (AfSA) Has Been Officially Inaugurated

On 20 April 2025, a bold step was taken in Cairo, Egypt, as the African Space Agency (AfSA) was officially inaugurated. This move is historic as it has been in the works for over nine years since its inception back in 2016.

The African Space Agency (AfSA) Will Work To Shape The African Space Industry

In January 2016, the African Union Assembly, during its 26th Ordinary Session, moved to adopt the African Space Policy and Strategy. This adoption laid the foundation for the emergence of the African Space Agency (AfSA), which will now work to establish a common ground for space activities within Africa.

Since this new space agency, with its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, will serve Africa as a continent, its inauguration was packed with lots of important guests from across the continent. In attendance at this inauguration were “African Union Commission officials, representatives from African governments and space agencies, ambassadors from African and foreign nations based in Egypt, members of the AfSA Council, and high-level delegates from the global space community.

In attendance from the global space community at this inauguration were officials from the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, JAXA, and the Italian Space Agency, just to mention a few. The attendance of these reputable space organisations from around the world shows support for this historic move for Africa.

During the inauguration, a document titled “Africa’s Journey to Space” gave insight into the continent’s endeavours in space. Over the years, various African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya have made various space efforts.

This shows that the continent isn’t new to the idea of space exploration as it boasts various satellite programmes, ground facilities, and space research initiatives. However, the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) will help unify the space endeavours of the entire continent.

The Global Space Community Readies Support For The African Space Agency (AfSA)

During the African Space Agency (AfSA) inauguration event, representatives from various space firms around the world gave their support to Africa’s space endeavours. Marco Ferranzzani from the ESA expressed confidence that both the ESA and AfSA will grow together while making transformative contributions to the global space community.

Luca Maria Salamone from the Italian Space Agency and Karen Feldstein from NASA assured the AfSA that both the Italian and US governments will work closely with Africa on space initiatives. Kikuchi Koichi of JAXA also gave similar assurance to the AfSA of Japan’s support toward African space endeavours.

Other space agencies in attendance at this inauguration were the UAE Space Agency and France’s CNES. Both assured the African Space Agency (AfSA) of support from their respective countries to help boost the growth of Africa’s space industry.