List of Space Agencies in Africa

Several space research organisations are engaged in activities related to outer space and space exploration in Africa, and according to the Business and Market Analysis of the African Space Industry done by Space in Africa, over USD 4.7 billion have been spent on space projects in Africa since the launch of NILESAT 101 by Egypt in 1998. We have created a list of African countries with Space Agencies – While some countries have established space agencies backed up by national laws, some countries have research centres that coordinate space activities in the country.

Algeria Space Agency – Algeria

The Algerian Space Agency الوكالة الفضائية الجزائرية‎ (ASAL) was established on January 16, 2002, in Bouzareah, Algiers. It is a national agency responsible for establishing Algeria’s space policy, instrumental in directing the country’s space activities. Furthermore, the agency promotes and ensures the peaceful utilisation of outer space, with the primary goal of enhancing national capabilities to safeguard the security and welfare of the nation’s community. ASAL has flown six different satellites.

Gabinete de Gestao do Programa Espacial Nacional – Angola

The GGPEN (National Space Programme Management Office) is an institution that oversees the Interministerial Commission for the General Coordination of the Angolan space programme. The Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS) supervise the agency, and its mission is to promote the peaceful use of space and research. GGPEN is currently involved in Communication, Earth Observation and GNSS projects.

The Botswana International University of Science, Technology (BIUST) – Botswana

Botswana’s President declared in December 2020 to launch an ambitious satellite project which will see Bostwana developing its space programme. The programme aims to launch an Earth observation 3U nanosatellite into space by 2024 with the ambition of launching bigger satellites such as 6U and 12U in the future to create a constellation. This programme will domicile in the Botswana International University of Science, Technology (BIUST) in collaboration with local, regional and international partners.

Djibouti Ministry of Higher Education and Research – Djibouti

Through its Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Djiboutian government aims to leverage space technologies to understand and monitor its environment, especially regarding the impact of climate change on access to water resources.

Furthermore, Djibouti is planning to launch two nanosatellites, Djibouti-1A and Djibouti-1. Furthermore, in 2023, the Djibouti government signed an MoU to launch its USD 1 billion spaceport with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group Limited and Touchroad International Holdings Group in the northern Obock Region of Djibouti.

Egypt Space Agency – Egypt

In January 2018, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi passed Law No. 3 of 2018, establishing the Egyptian Space Agency, after the House of Representatives approved the law to develop and transfer space science and technology into Egypt to build satellites and launch them from Egyptian territories. Until then, National Authority for Remote Sensing & Space Sciences (NARSS), established in 1991 as a general authority for Remote Sensing, has been in charge of the Egypt space programme.

Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute – Ethiopia

The main objectives of the establishment of the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute (ESSGI) are to enable the country to exploit multi-dimensional uses of space science and technologies fully, to produce demand-based knowledgeable, skilled and attitudinally matured professionals in the field of aerospace science that enable the country to become internationally competitive in the sector; to develop and strengthen space science and technology infrastructures to speed up space science and technology development in the country and enable the country to be a robust contributor for the development of aerospace science and technology.

Agence Gabonaise d’Etudes et d’Observations Spatiales (AGEOS) Gabon

AGEOS is a public institution of scientific, technological and environmental nature. The Agency’s mission is to contribute to the collection, analysis and provision of data from the spatial observation of the national territory for the sustainable management of the environment, natural resources, land use, and spatial planning. AGEOS is the Gabonese Space Agency and controls all space activities and remote sensing in the country.

Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute – Ghana

The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) was first established as a Centre under the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) in January 2011 and launched in May 2012. It was later upgraded to an Institute in August 2013 to exploit space science and technology for the country’s socio-economic development. However, in 2022, the Ghanaian cabinet approved the Ghana Space Policy and Implementation Plan to enable the full operationalisation of the Ghana Space Agency in 2023. GSSTI’s responsibility is to harness, coordinate, research, commercialise and explore space science and technology for the country’s socio-economic development.

Geographic and Digital Information Centre – Ivory Coast

The CIGN (Geographic and Digital Information Centre), part of the Bureau National d’Études Techniques et de Developpement (BNETD), manages the creation of the land mapping database and reinforces human capital skills in GIS in Ivory Coast.

However, in July 2022, the Ivorian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research conducted a workshop to finalise draft documents for establishing the Ivorian Space Agency (ASI). According to the official report, the workshop was deemed necessary due to the strategic importance of space exploration for the country’s development and protection. All signs suggest that the establishment of the agency is imminent.

Kenya Space Agency – Kenya

The Kenya Space Agency was established in 2017 to promote, coordinate and regulate space-related activities in the country. This will be achieved by promoting research and innovations in space science, technology and respective applications and enhancing the regulatory framework.

KSA was established as the successor to the National Space Secretariat (NSS) and inherited the NSS’s achievements, and embarked on new projects to explore space applications for sustainable development.

Libya Center for Remote Sensing and Space Science – Libya

The Libyan Center for Remote Sensing and Space Science, also known as LCRSSS, established in 1989, is a governmental research organization dedicated to remote sensing, space, and earthquake sciences, currently with more than five research stations. Headquartered in Tripoli, LCRSSS has a staff of close to 300 and coordinates space activities in Libya.

Mauritius Research and Innovation Council Mauritius

The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Technology Communication and Innovation. It is mandated by the Government of Mauritius to promote Science Research, Technology and Innovation in the Republic of Mauritius. MRIC is currently embarking on a new initiative geared towards exploring the potential of space/satellite technology for the socio-economic benefit of Mauritius.

The Royal Center for Remote Sensing Space – Morocco

CRTS is the National Institution responsible for using, promoting and developing remote sensing space in Morocco. It coordinates and manages national remote sensing space programs in partnership with ministries, universities and private operators. It is responsible for all space activities in the country.

The Space Science Council, National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST) – Namibia

Namibia’s space programme kicked up recently and has been making significant strides in its development. Through the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, the Namibian government created an actionable space policy in 2021 and has partnered with China to build a satellite receiving station and increase Namibian human capacity development. In all its activities, Namibia hopes to capitalise on remote sensing and geospatial technologies to address socioeconomic problems while targeting disaster management, urban planning, protection of economic territory, education, weather monitoring, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

National Space Research and Development Agency – Nigeria

NASRDA was established to establish a “fundamental policy for the development of space science and technology” with an initial budget of USD 93 million. In May 2006, the new extended national space program was adopted. NASRDA is responsible for all space activities in Nigeria. In 2006, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) spinoff from NASRDA to manage and exploit the commercial viability of the Nigerian Communication Satellite for the social and economic benefit of the nation.

Rwanda Space Agency – Rwanda

(RSA) was established in 2020 to develop Rwanda’s space sector towards social-economic development. The mandate of RSA is to regulate and coordinate all space activities in the country while also creating an environment that encourages entrepreneurial and industrial development to enable the creation of commercialization products that are globally competitive for local consumption and export markets.

Agence Sénégalaise D’Études Spatiales – Senegal

The history of Senegal’s space program is a tale of ambitious development, collaboration, and the pursuit of technological advancement. From its inception to establishing the Agence Sénégalaise D’Études Spatiales (ASES), the country’s journey into space has been marked by crucial milestones that promise to reshape its socio-economic landscape. In 2019, Senegal set a timeline to build and launch its inaugural satellite by Q3 2023. According to official reports, the satellite will enable Senegal to leverage space applications for socio-economic and scientific development while fostering a thriving local space ecosystem for research and innovation.

South African Space Agency – South Africa

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) was established in 2010. Following rapid growth and transition, the agency has made significant advancements toward addressing its mandate of deriving greater value from space science and technology to benefit South African society. SANSA is responsible for all space activities in South Africa.

National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC) – Sudan

Remote Sensing Authority (RSA) was established in 1977 as a National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC) within the National Council for Research, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. In 1996 the Remote Sensing Center was renamed Remote Sensing Authority and affiliated with the National Center for Research, Ministry of Science and Technology. While Sudan is anticipating a Space Agency, NRSC is responsible for space activities.

Tunisia Space Agency – Tunisia

While there is a movement for the official establishment of the Tunisian Space Agency, the National Mapping and Remote Sensing Center established under the Ministry of National Defence (CNCT) Act of 1988, is in charge of space activities in the country.

The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation – Uganda

Through its Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Uganda government plans to enhance space science development in the country to help in other special areas like agriculture, frontier border security monitoring, and human resource development.

Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency – Zimbabwe

Launched on July 10, 2018, by the President of Zimbabwe, the agency is responsible for all space activities in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s space programme represents a significant national endeavour to harness space technology for the country’s socio-economic development. This comprehensive programme focuses on advancing satellite technology, Earth observation capabilities, and space research. The country’s strategic focus on addressing critical challenges, such as agricultural monitoring, disaster management, and natural resource mapping, reflects its determination to become a prominent player in the African space community.

African Countries and the number of satellites they have launched


Last Updated 3 August 2023