Cairo has officially become home to the African Space Agency (AfSA), with the new headquarters inaugurated on Sunday within Egypt’s Space City complex.
During the launch ceremony, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty praised the nation's efforts in bringing the agency to life, linking its establishment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its broader vision for a more integrated and innovative continent.
Abdelatty noted that the agency will act as a driving force for peaceful collaboration among African nations in the space sector facilitating knowledge-sharing, skill development, and a unified presence on global platforms such as the United Nations.
He stressed that partnerships with universities, research centers, and international space agencies will be vital in laying the groundwork for a strong African presence in space science and technology.
Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, described the inauguration as a turning point for Africa’s space journey. “AfSA will become a hub of creativity, partnership, and advancement across the continent,” he said.
From the international community, Huan Yiheng—co-founder of Chinese aerospace firm MinoSpace—welcomed the development, calling the agency a valuable opportunity for African countries to jointly push forward space-related innovations. “We’re looking forward to exploring new forms of cooperation with AfSA and other African partners,” he added.
With the official opening now complete, AfSA will take the lead in coordinating Africa’s space engagement with European and international collaborators. One of its core aims will be to improve the continent’s ability to access and utilize space-based data and services for development.
Egypt was chosen to host the agency in 2019 after satisfying key technical and political requirements set by the African Union.
