ESA welcomes inauguration of African Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially extended its congratulations to the African Space Agency (AfSA) on its historic inauguration, hailing the milestone as a pivotal step in Africas growing role in global space exploration and innovation. AfSA, now the second regional space agency after ESA, represents the culmination of nearly a decade of development. The African Union Commission laid the foundation for its establishment with the adoption of a continental space policy and strategy in 2016.
Based in Egypthome to Africas first satellite launch in 1998AfSA unites all 55 member states of the African Union under a single vision: to harness space science and technology to support socio-economic development across the continent. Over the past 25 years, 18 African nations have collectively launched 63 satellites, with national space programmes rapidly expanding to address local needs through data-driven solutions and research.
The inauguration coincided with the opening of the NewSpace Africa Conference, a global gathering of space agencies and companies committed to leveraging innovation to empower Africas economic and scientific landscape.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher offered ESA's congratulations on the inauguration of the agency and said: 'The establishment of the African Space Agency is a real milestone for the continent and signals an important advance for Africas 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 added: 'ESA is proud to partner 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 Programme 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.
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