African Space Agency

The official launch of Africa Space Expo 2026 (ASPEX 2026), held on 30 April 2026 at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, marked a major milestone in Africa’s advancing space ambitions. The high-level ceremony, attended by prominent government leaders including H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency (AfSA); H.E. Djibril Ouattara, Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation; and H.E. Prof. Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, underscored a strong institutional commitment to building a robust, innovative, and sovereign African space sector.

Scheduled for September 24–26, 2026, at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, ASPEX will convene governments, industry leaders, startups, researchers, and international partners to foster collaboration and accelerate the development of space-based solutions addressing critical challenges, including environmental monitoring, disaster risk management, territorial planning, and economic growth.

Positioned as the continent’s premier space business platform, ASPEX aims to catalyze strategic partnerships, showcase African capabilities, and structure the emerging space market—affirming Africa’s trajectory toward a future driven by innovation, sovereignty, and sustainable development

Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Agency, has declared Africa the "next El Dorado of space affairs." In an interview with RFI, he explains that space is no longer a luxury but a critical tool for solving challenges in water management, national security and digital resilience.

Read the full interview on our website- https://africanspaceagency.org/africa-is-the-next-el-dorado-of-space-affairs/

The African Space Agency and the European Space Agency jointly invite applications from African students and early-career professionals for the Spacecraft Testing Workshop, organised as part of the Africa–Europe Space Partnership Programme capacity-building activities.

Apply here: https://africanspaceagency.org/call-for-applications-spacecraft-testing-workshop/

AfSA is heading to SIADE 2026 in Abidjan (13–14 April), one of Africa’s leading platforms bringing together Artificial Intelligence, Defense, and Space. As the continent accelerates its journey towards technological sovereignty, events like SIADE are critical to shaping the future of Africa’s space ecosystem, connecting governments, industry, startups, and international partners around shared priorities.

From satellite applications to data-driven solutions for climate, security, and development, AfSA will be on the ground to engage, collaborate, and showcase Africa’s growing capabilities in space. Space is no longer just a sector, it is a strategic enabler for Africa’s future.



Participate in SIADE 2026 and engage with us on shaping Africa’s space future.



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Meet The 2026 Young African Space Professionals Awardees! 🌍✨

The African Space Agency and Space in Africa are proud to announce the brilliant minds awarded the 2026 Young African Space Professionals Award.

Selected from 168 exceptional submissions across 35 countries, these 8 individuals represent the intellectual and operational backbone of Africa’s space ecosystem.

🇪🇬 Amira Saloma
🇲🇦 HICHAM OUFETTOUL
🇰🇪 Charlynne Jepkosgei
🇺🇬 Edgar Mujuni
🇳🇬 Oluwarantimi Bukola
🇸🇱 Momoh Lamin
🇿🇼 Muongeni Tamara Manda
🇦🇴 Luciano Costa Dembue Lupedia

Please join us in celebrating our 2026 Awardees, who will be fully sponsored to attend the NewSpace Africa Conference 2026 in Libreville, Gabon:

🔗 Read more about their incredible achievements and the selection process here: https://africanspaceagency.org/meet-the-2026-young-african-space-professionals-awardees/

Wishing all our partners, scientists, and fellow citizens a peaceful and joyous Eid al-Fitr. May your celebrations be as vast and bright as the African sky 🌙 🌍

ASPEX 2026 lands in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from Sept 24-26, marking a shift from theory to ex*****on.

Co-led by the African Space Agency (AfSA), this is a continental marketplace where space tech meets real-world solutions. From a Business Arena for closing major deals to Project Labs for engineering the future, Africa is building its own space value chain.

✅ 3 days of public innovation & networking.

✅ 3 days of exclusive high-level strategic talks.

✅ Focus on food security, climate resilience, and maritime safety.

Register here: https://aspex.africa/

On this International Women’s Day, the African Space Agency salutes the women dedicated to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and exploration. We celebrate the women at AfSA and across the entire continent who are breaking barriers and helping Africa reach new heights in the global space race. Your work ensures the sky is no longer a limit, but a beginning for the next generation 🚀

Collaboration among African space agencies is now an operational requirement.

The future of space technologies in Africa will be written through deliberate coordination.

The NewSpace Africa Conference 2026 is where these pathways are shaped.

Hosted in Libreville, Gabon from 20-23 April, the conference will be gathering agency leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and investors in a dialogue. See you there

Register here: newspace.spaceinafrica.com/registration

Warmest wishes to our Christian community during this sacred season of Lent and Easter. May these days of reflection bring peace, grace, and renewal to your hearts.

Wishing our Muslim brothers and sisters a peaceful and blessed Ramadan. May this be a season of deep reflection, community, and renewed hope for all.