Signature of the Host Agreement for the African Space Agency, in Cairo, 24 January 2023

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January 24, 2023

H.E. Professor Mohamed Belhocine, Commissioner in charge of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), conducted a working mission to the Arab Republic of Egypt on 23-24 January 2023, at the invitation of the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, H.E. Prof. Mohamed Ayman Ahmed Ashour, with the key objective to sign the Host Agreement of the African Space Agency (AfSA), and see firsthand the status of development of the premises and facilities in preparation for the operationalization of the African Space Agency. The Commissioner’s Delegation toured the ‘Space City’ located in New Cairo, which houses the African Space Agency and the Egyptian Space Agency with its technical facilities such as Space Academy, Spacecraft’s Assembly, Integration and Testing facilities, among others.

The AUC Delegation acknowledged the development and was impressed with the speed of construction of facilities for the African Space Agency including the residence of the Director General. The Commissioner reiterated that AUC is committed to implement the decision of the African Union for a multiphase operationalization for full-fledged Space Agency.

The Commissioner and the Minister proceeded to sign the Host Agreement of the African Space Agency at the Ministry, headquarters in the presence of senior officials and representatives of the media. The Commissioner and the Minister addressed the press reiterating their commitments to expedite operationalization of AfSA in compliance with the Statutes and the approved Structure.

On the other hand, the Commissioner and his delegation visited key academic institutions and centers of excellence in the field of education and advanced technologies such as the NILESAT operations center, the Egyptian Space Agency, the National Training Academy (NTA), the Cairo University of Technology (CTU) and the British University of Egypt (BUE).

The Commissioner in his address to the Minister, briefed about key flagship programmes of the Department: The Pan-African University and Virtual University, African Space Programme, Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Science, Technology, and Innovation, and acknowledged the support and role of Egypt and all Member States.

Note:

The African Outer Space Flagship Programme was formalized in January 2016 when the AU Heads of State and Government adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy, and further adopted the Statute of the African Space Agency as an organ of the Union in 2018. The Assembly decided on Republic of Egypt as the host of the African Space Agency in February 2019, after considering the report of a High-Level Panel appointed by the Chairperson to assess the candidate countries. In 2022, the Assembly adopted the proposal on Structural and Financial implications of the African Space Agency authorizing the Commission to operationalize the Agency in 3 phases beginning 2023.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Hambani Masheleni and Ag head of Science and Technology division | Education, Science, Technology and Innovation | African Union Commission| E-mail: hambanim@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Faith Adhiambo, Communications Officer- Agenda 2063 Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: ochiengj@african-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia