African Space Agency and France’s CNES sign MoU

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The African Space Agency (AfSA) and France’s national space agency, Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in support of Africa’s space ambitions.

The agreement reaffirms the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing Africa’s space agenda, with a focus on Earth Observation (EO) applications, capacity building, and the promotion of public–private collaboration. These areas of cooperation are intended to support Africa’s socio-economic development priorities while ensuring the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the African Space Agency by H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council. The partnership is expected to enhance technical collaboration, knowledge exchange, and institutional capacity across Africa’s space ecosystem.

The agreement marks an important milestone in reinforcing Africa’s position as a coordinated, credible, and increasingly influential actor in the global space community. It also reflects growing international confidence in Africa’s space governance framework and its commitment to leveraging space technologies for development, sustainability, and innovation.

Through this collaboration, AfSA and CNES aim to deepen long-term cooperation that supports Africa’s integration into the global space value chain while addressing shared global challenges through space-based solutions.