The African Union (AU) is a continental organization of 55 member states that launched the African Space Agency (AfSA) to coordinate and implement Africa's space ambitions. Inaugurated in April 2025, AfSA aims to harness space science and technology for socio-economic development, promote collaboration, and ensure the peaceful exploration of outer space. The agency's initial focus includes environmental monitoring, communications, and space science, with partnerships established with organizations like ESA, UAE Space Agency, and Roscosmos. Keywords associated with the AU's space activities include: space policy, Earth observation, satellite communications, and regional development.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The African Union Commission launched the development of the African Meteorological Satellite Applications Facility (AMSAF) at African Union headquarters.
Meteosat-12’s data will be central to the EU-funded Space for Early Warnings in Africa project implemented with the African Union Commission.
The 25 January 2023 agreement between the African Union Commission and the Egyptian government provides the general framework regulating the relationship between both parties and serves as a platform for space research and innovation on the continent.
The African Union Commission and the Egyptian government represented by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research signed an agreement on 25 January 2023 to inaugurate and declare the African Space Agency open and operational.
The African Union established the African Space Agency under Article 5(2) of the Constitutive Act.
The African Union Commission conducted baseline studies in 2021 on the four space segments and the space socio-economic benefits for establishing and operationalizing the African Space Agency.
The African Union, supported by the World Bank Group, has set a goal of universal connectivity for Africa by 2030.
African Union member states adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy in Addis Ababa in early 2016 as a first step toward establishing the African Space Agency.