
NewSpace Africa 2025 Conference kicks off in Cairo - Foreign Affairs
Hosted by the Egyptian Space Agency (ESA) under its patronage, the four-day event has brought together high-level representatives from African space agencies, global aerospace institutions, government bodies, academic circles, and private-sector innovators.
ESA CEO Sherif Sedky inaugurated the opening session. He expressed Egypt's pride in hosting the continent's foremost space conference.
'Egypt stands at the forefront of Africa's space renaissance,' he said.
'By convening this diverse and dynamic group of space leaders, we are planting the seeds for greater regional integration, technological advancement, and sustainable development across the continent.'
Sedky emphasised Egypt's longstanding commitment to strengthening Africa's space ecosystem through satellite development, knowledge exchange, and multilateral partnerships.
His remarks were followed by keynote addresses from Tidiane Ouattara, Head of the African Union's Space Programme, and other senior dignitaries.
They stressed the importance of space science in addressing Africa's critical challenges, ranging from climate resilience to food security and education.
The opening day also witnessed the historic inauguration of the Permanent Headquarters of the African Space Agency, now officially hosted at the Egyptian Space City.
The move represents a bold step forward in institutionalising Africa's continental space vision and creating a unified platform for strategic coordination.
Following the inaugural session, the conference featured high-level panels on regional satellite initiatives, African-led innovation, and the socioeconomic benefits of space technologies.
Participants explored public-private partnerships and showcased leading satellite and aerospace projects in an accompanying exhibition.
On Tuesday, the event's second day, the momentum continued with sessions focused on strengthening international ties and accelerating innovation in the African space economy.
Key sessions included detailed discussions on the status of space programs in various African countries, as well as presentations from major international space organisations.
Highlights included keynote addresses by Airbus, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), which presented cutting-edge advancements in satellite technology, data applications, and opportunities for cooperation with African institutions.
A major feature of Day Two was the Arab Group Meeting, where representatives from Arab space agencies convened to explore regional collaboration and build bridges between Africa and the Arab world in the field of space science.
The meeting affirmed the need for stronger synergies between Arab and African stakeholders, especially in joint missions, technology transfer, and policy coordination.
The day concluded with a cultural visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage with Egypt's ancient heritage while fostering informal dialogue and mutual understanding among space leaders.
Looking Ahead
The New Space Africa 2025 Conference continues to gain traction as a strategic platform for redefining Africa's role in the global space industry.
With its strong emphasis on unity, innovation, and inclusive growth, the event reflects a shared commitment to leveraging space technologies as a pillar of Africa's development and digital transformation.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship continues to support education and innovation - Middle East Business News and Information
The Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Graduate Scholarship, launched in collaboration between the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the University of Oxford in 2016, has achieved remarkable results by supporting UAE and Arab students to pursue advanced academic studies at the University of Oxford, one of the world's most renowned universities. This collaboration exemplifies a pioneering initiative to invest in knowledge and human capital by providing Arab students with seamless access to postgraduate courses. It helps them improve their intellectual capacity by learning under the guidance of globally acclaimed academics while building robust connections with exceptional peers from different countries and diverse fields. His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: 'This scholarship reflects the visionary principles of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aim to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future. The innovative initiative seeks to empower Emirati and Arab students by offering higher education that facilitates their knowledge-based skill development. Additionally, it highlights our commitment to reinforcing scientific, academic, and research excellence in the Arab world, in line with our mission to support students and researchers locally and regionally, further positioning the UAE as a leading global knowledge hub.' The scholarship also aims to nurture exceptional students by enabling them to pursue postgraduate courses at the University of Oxford and supporting their academic and research activities. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of a robust Arab knowledge society, in line with the UAE's commitment to positioning education and innovation as key pillars for creating a prosperous future. Since its inception, the Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Graduate Scholarship has played a pivotal role in developing the Arab higher education system and supporting exceptional students in gaining access to the world's leading university for postgraduate study. The scholarship has become influential in global knowledge settings by enabling dozens of Arab scholars to strengthen their research and scientific expertise across various critical disciplines. Moreover, the scholarship serves as a testament to MBRF's dedication to enhancing sustainable education and providing more opportunities for Arab youth. Building on the belief that strong educational and scientific research programs are essential for progress, the scholarship continues to shape the region's future by cultivating progressive, knowledge-driven societies.


CairoScene
2 days ago
- CairoScene
How Ibn al-Haytham's Prison Cell Sparked the Birth of the Camera
Imprisoned in Egypt in the year 1011, Ibn al-Haytham observed how light through a small hole projected an image inside a dark room. Aug 19, 2025 Over 1,000 years ago, an Arab scientist changed how we see the world. While imprisoned in Egypt, Ibn al-Haytham discovered how light passes through a small hole to project an inverted image inside a dark room. This became known as the camera obscura, the earliest form of a camera. After his release, Ibn al-Haytham built models of his cell, recorded his findings in his groundbreaking Book of Optics, and laid the foundation for centuries of innovation in vision, light, and photography. His work influenced everything from pinhole cameras to the lenses in your phone today.


Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
Hamdan–ALECSO for Distinguished Educational Research Award 2025 Attracts 116 Submissions from 13 Arab Countries as Evaluation Begins
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August, 2025: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences announced the launch of the evaluation process for the Hamdan–ALECSO Award for Distinguished Educational Research in its 2025 cycle. The award is one of the Arab world's leading honors dedicated to recognizing innovative educational research that contributes to advancing the learning process and enhancing the quality of its outcomes. The jury committee held its official meeting at the Foundation's headquarters on Sunday, 17 August 2025, to review and evaluate the submitted works and monitor the progress of the assessment process, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of integrity and scientific rigor. Dr. Mohammed Al Housani, Chairman of Hamdan–ALECSO Award for Distinguished Educational Research, stated, 'The award continues to consolidate its position as a leading platform for supporting educational research. The remarkable diversity of research topics this year reflects a growing awareness of the importance of scientific research as a fundamental tool for advancing education. The jury meeting represents a pivotal stage in the award's journey, ensuring that the most deserving research works are recognized and honored based on transparent and objective criteria.' This cycle witnessed strong interest, with 116 research papers submitted from 13 Arab countries, underscoring the award's distinguished regional standing and its role in stimulating educational research activity across the Arab world. The submission period extended from 6 January to 15 July 2025, with research topics covering areas such as the development of teaching methodologies, the integration of modern technologies in education, addressing field challenges, and providing practical, evidence-based solutions. The award was launched in 2003 under the title 'Best Applied Local Research' to support the quality of education in the UAE. In 2007, it expanded to include Arab countries, and in 2021, the Foundation entered a strategic partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to unify efforts in promoting distinguished educational research, in line with ALECSO's mission to advance education, culture, and science across the Arab world. The award targets a wide range of professionals in the education sector, including teachers, school principals, supervisors, academics, social and psychological specialists, and educational administrators, offering them a platform for competition and for contributing to impactful work that enriches the education sector. Through a rigorous evaluation process led by specialized experts, the award seeks to identify research that provides genuine added value and translates ideas into applicable practices within Arab educational environments. The winners will be announced and honored at the Foundation's annual ceremony, held under the patronage and in the presence of the Foundation's Supreme President, as part of its commitment to supporting educational excellence and reinforcing the role of scientific research in advancing education in the Arab world. The Foundation will also accompany the jury meeting with media coverage through its digital platforms and various media outlets to keep the public informed about the evaluation process and the atmosphere of the committee's work.