The four-day event will explore policies, research, trends, and future outlooks in the African space and satellite industry.
The fourth edition of the NewSpace Africa Conference will be held from April 21 to 24, 2025 at the Egypt Space City, Cairo, Egypt. The conference is being organised by Space in Africa, in collaboration with the African Space Agency and the Egyptian Space Agency.
The conference was announced at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan, Italy, by Dr Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency and H.E. Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency.
The theme for the upcoming conference is ‘Empowering Africas Economy through Space-Driven Innovation’. It will explore the full spectrum of space and satellite technology, emphasising policy development and business prospects in Africa. The conference will centre on the need to drive innovation to harness the far-reaching impact of space technologies on Africas economic future and how satellite data, earth observation, and telecommunications are catalysing advancements in various industries such as agriculture, mining, healthcare, infrastructure, and education, fostering economic growth at multiple levels.
Further, the conference will highlight the significance of stakeholder collaboration in achieving shared objectives. The event will also tackle key opportunities, challenges, and trends shaping Africas space and satellite industry, encouraging innovative approaches that drive socioeconomic progress and propel Africa further towards its space vision and the SDGs. Additionally, it will underscore the importance of the private sector and foreign partners in fostering growth and advocate for supportive policies that strengthen Africas role in the global space ecosystem.
Conference participants are expected to include heads of national space agencies and programmes, representatives of African ministries of science, technology, higher education, and communications, the African Union Commission, African Space Agency, policymakers and government officials, NewSpace companies, global and regional satellite manufacturers and operators, satellite connectivity companies, earth observation service providers, venture capitalists and angel investors, African tech hubs, members of the academia, and stakeholders from space-adjacent industries.
The NewSpace Africa Conference 2025 will showcase Africas technological advancements and innovations in the space sector on a global platform, attracting foreign investment across various segments, from established enterprises to emerging companies. The event aims to foster productive collaborations, strengthen existing partnerships, and explore new markets. It will also identify challenges hindering the growth of Africas NewSpace ecosystem and devise strategies to overcome them. By offering unparalleled opportunities for engagement between local and international stakeholders, this fourth edition of the conference seeks to highlight emerging markets and showcase Africas commitment to advancing its space industry.
The four-day event will explore policies, research, trends, and future outlooks in the African space and satellite industry. It will feature keynotes, panel discussions, interactive sessions, business pitches, and matchmaking opportunities for B2B, B2C, and B2G collaborations.
Speaking at the launch announcement, HE Dr Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency, said: The African Space Agency is proud to continue collaborating with Space in Africa and African governments to unite regional and international stakeholders in advancing partnerships and projects that fuel industry growth. This years edition marks a pivotal moment as its the first since the African Space Agency became fully operational. We are thrilled to once again host our partners from across the global space community and to showcase the exciting opportunities for Africas space future. In addition, the AfSA president announced that alongside the NewSpace Africa Conference, the African Space Agency wll be officially inaugurated in Cairo.
Furthermore, the CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, Dr Sherif Sedky, said, We are excited to welcome the global space community to Egypt, using this opportunity to spotlight Egyptian Space City and Africas growing contributions to the space industry. This years conference is especially timely, as the Egyptian government intensifies efforts to attract commercial space players, foster innovation, and advance satellite manufacturing technology through the Small Technology Park initiative.
