By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Africa’s space ambitions took centre stage in Abidjan on September 24 as the Africa Space Expo 2026
officially opened, bringing together government officials, space-sector
leaders, researchers, young professionals and industry stakeholders to discuss the
continent’s emerging space economy.
Addressing participants
during the opening ceremony in his capacity as Director General of the Côte
d’Ivoire Space Agency, Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the
African Space Agency, called for stronger coordination, investment and collaboration
to build Africa’s space capabilities and translate space technologies into
tangible development outcomes.
Dr. Ouattara said Côte
d’Ivoire is determined to establish itself among nations with a significant
presence in the space sector and invited African and international partners to
support the development of the country’s national space ecosystem.
“Côte d’Ivoire now aspires
to be among the nations that matter in the space sector,” Dr. Ouattara said.
He said Côte d’Ivoire’s
space ambitions are aligned with the vision of the country’s President and
Government, while stressing that the newly established national space agency
has a coordinating rather than duplicative role.
“The Côte d’Ivoire Space
Agency intends first and foremost to serve as the coordinator of national space
activities,” he said, emphasising that the agency is not intended to replace
existing institutions or initiatives.
Instead, the agency will
strengthen, coordinate and enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s presence in the space sector
while building on activities and expertise already existing within the country.
Dr. Ouattara also
highlighted the increasingly strategic role of space technologies and
satellite-derived data in national development, pointing to applications
ranging from socio-economic development to border security, protection of
strategic infrastructure and the safety and security of populations.
For Côte d’Ivoire, he said,
the immediate task is to establish the foundations required for a sustainable
national space programme. Space-related activities are already taking place
across the country, with institutions, companies, researchers and young professionals
contributing to the sector.
“The responsibility now is
to bring all these efforts together within a coherent framework, with a clear
direction and a national ambition,” he said.
Dr. Ouattara placed
particular emphasis on human capital development, stressing the importance of
building a critical mass of trained young people capable of sustaining Côte
d’Ivoire’s ambitions in science, technology and innovation.
The presence of the Minister
responsible for Youth and Employment at the opening, he said, demonstrated the
government’s commitment to ensuring that young Ivorians have a central role in
the emerging space economy.
The Africa Space Expo, being
held in Abidjan from September 24 to 26, provides a platform for dialogue on
Africa’s space economy, satellite technologies, innovation, cooperation and
business opportunities.
The event is a joint
initiative of the African Union and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire,
implemented through the African Space Agency (AfSA) and the Côte d’Ivoire Space
Agency (ASCI).
Dr. Ouattara used the
opening to invite partners from across Africa and the wider international
community to participate in Côte d’Ivoire’s space ambitions, positioning the
country’s national programme within a broader continental effort to build
African space capabilities and ensure that space technology contributes
directly to development.
