The European Space Agency has joined the world space community in congratulating the African Space Agency on its official inauguration. The African Space Agency (AfSA) is the second regional space agency after ESA and has been in development since 2015, with the African Union Commission adopting an African space policy and strategy in 2016.
The African Space Agency brings together the 55 member countries of the African Union to coordinate and implement Africa’s space ambitions. Its headquarters are in Egypt, which launched Africa’s first satellite in 1998. Since then, 18 African countries have launched a further 63 satellites and many African nations have implemented their own space programs to the benefit of their people. AfSA has the goal of harnessing space science and technology for Africa’s socio-economic development, promoting collaborative research and the peaceful exploration of outer space.
The inauguration of AfSA came just prior to the start of this week’s NewSpace Africa conference, which brings together space agencies and space companies from around the world to discuss how space innovation can help empower Africa’s economy.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher offered ESA’s congratulations on the inauguration of the agency saying: “The establishment of the African Space Agency is a real milestone for the continent and signals an important advance for Africa’s space strategy. Space has the power to spur innovation and inspiration, and I look forward to working together for the benefit of citizens on both continents.”
Speaking at the inauguration in Cairo, ESA Director of Internal Services Marco Ferrazzani said: “ESA is proud to partnering with this new regional space agency. Collaboration with Africa dates back three decades and today ESA even runs a dedicated EOAFRICA Initiative. With AfSA, this cooperation will be brought up to the next level.”
ESA formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AfSA that will underpin the implementation of the EU-Africa Space Partnership Program by the EU, which is designed to strengthen ties between Europe and Africa and encourage the use of space technologies by both public and commercial operators. Since Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change, there is a particular goal to improve early warning systems for severe weather events or hardships related to climate.
In an additional project co-financed by the European Union, ESA already works with the African space sector on the implementation of a satellite-based augmentation system for air traffic control systems, that enhances the security of air traffic. Furthermore, ESA is ready to collaborate on further bilateral activities with AfSA.