Egypt Inaugurates African Space Agency Headquarters in Cairo

CAIRO – 20 April 2025: Egypt has officially inaugurated the African Space Agency (AfSA) headquarters in Cairo on Sunday, said the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Sunday.

The African Space Agency aims to advance the continent’s capabilities in space technology to support sustainable social and economic development in line with the African Union’s vision. 

The agency will tackle key challenges by collecting and analyzing critical data and delivering applied programs in a wide range of areas, including food security, crop monitoring and distribution, biodiversity conservation, disease prevention, groundwater and rainfall monitoring, coastal degradation, security enhancement, disaster response, and mapping of ICT infrastructure across governments.

Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, participated in the official inauguration. The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials and dignitaries, including Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency; Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Environmental Sustainability; and Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, Chair of the African Space Agency Council.

Also in attendance were heads and representatives of African and international space agencies, along with ambassadors from African nations and partner countries of the African Union.

In his opening address, Minister Abdelatty expressed pride in Egypt’s role in hosting this significant continental institution. He emphasized that the launch of the agency’s headquarters marks a milestone in pan-African cooperation and a transformative step toward acquiring future-focused technologies, particularly in the realms of space science and policy.

He noted that Egypt’s hosting of the agency reflects its longstanding commitment to its leadership role on the continent and its dedication to fostering African integration. Abdelatty highlighted the extensive efforts undertaken by the Egyptian state to establish the agency, which aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its visionary framework, The Africa We Want.

Minister Abdelatty underlined that the African Space Agency will act as a platform to deepen cooperation among African nations in the peaceful uses of space, promote knowledge exchange, and build technical capacities. Additionally, it will work to unify African positions in international forums, especially within the United Nations system. He also stressed the importance of collaboration with academic institutions, research centers, and global space agencies, which will help establish a robust African presence in space science and technology.

In closing, the Minister extended his gratitude to the African Union Commission, member states, and all stakeholders involved in bringing the agency to life. He described the inauguration as a pivotal moment in building an African future driven by knowledge, innovation, and strengthened global engagement in the technological race.