Africa Inaugurates African Space Agency Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt
AfSA’s permanent base is expected to play a significant role in Africa's space initiatives under Agenda 2063’s Outer Space Strategy.
In April 2025, Africa marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The African Union (AU) outlined that this achievement, stemming from the adoption of its space policy framework in 2016, “underscores the continent’s unified commitment to leveraging space technologies for socio-economic growth, scientific innovation, and enhanced international collaboration.”
The AU stated that “the establishment of AfSA’s permanent base represents a transformative step in Africa’s journey toward sovereign space capabilities, enabling critical applications in Earth observation for food security, climate resilience, disaster management, and satellite communications.”
As an Agenda 2063 flagship project, the AU noted that “AfSA will drive continental priorities including climate adaptation, digital transformation, and sustainable development.”
The AU highlighted that Egypt, “with its strong space heritage and infrastructure,” will host the agency, which “is poised to accelerate pan-African cooperation in space science and technology.”
The AU noted that inauguration ceremony included H.E. Mr. Moses Vilakati (representing the AUC Chairperson), a representative of Egypt’s Prime Minister (H.E. Dr. Ayman Ashour), Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, and Egypt’s Foreign Minister, “symbolsing a shared vision for an empowered Africa in the global space arena.”
The AU concluded that “as AfSA begins operations, it opens new frontiers for innovation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development,” affirming that “Africa’s space ambitions, as envisioned in Agenda 2063, are no longer aspirational but achievable.”
AfSA operates under the governance of the African Space Council, led by H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara as President and Ms. Thandikile Mbvundula as Vice President.