CAIRO, Egypt — Africa marked a historic milestone last week with the official inauguration of the African Space Agency’s (AfSA) permanent headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, an initiative years in the making since the African Union first adopted its continental space policy in 2016.
According to a social media post from the African Union, the new headquarters is a flagship achievement under Agenda 2063’s Outer Space Strategy, emphasizing Africa’s unified commitment to leveraging space technology for socio-economic development, scientific advancement and global collaboration.
The Cairo-based headquarters represents a major step toward building sovereign space capabilities across the continent, supporting applications such as Earth observation for agriculture, climate monitoring, disaster response and satellite communications.
Hosted by Egypt, recognized for its advanced space infrastructure, AfSA is positioned to serve as a hub for continental cooperation in space science and innovation.
The inauguration ceremony featured officials from various countries, including representatives from the African Union, Egypt, and Angola.
Their presence reflected a shared continental vision for Africa’s active role in the global space sector.
AfSA’s governance is structured under the African Space Council. H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the AfSA Council, and Ms Thandikile Mbvundula, Vice President.
The agency is expected to play a key role in driving Agenda 2063 priorities including climate adaptation, digital transformation and sustainable development.
As AfSA begins operations, it opens new frontiers for youth engagement, innovation and long-term socio-economic benefits, marking a shift from ambition to implementation in Africa’s space journey.
