Statement

Delivered by

H.E. Moses Vilakati

Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), African Union Commission

On Behalf of

H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf

Chairperson of the African Union Commission

At the

Inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA)

Cairo, Egypt

20 April 2025

Salutations

• Your Excellency Prof. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt
• Your Excellency Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs
• Your Excellency Mr. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Social Communication, Angola
• Your Excellency Prof Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Research of Ivory Coast
• Your Excellency the US Ambassador to the African Union
• Your Excellency Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council
• Heads of various National and Regional Space Agency, including our Host Prof. Sherif Sedky Director General, Egyptian Space Agency
• Honorable Guests,
• Ladies and Gentlemen

I stand before you today full of optimism, representing His Excellency the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, and the entire African Union Commission, as we witness the dawn of a new era for our continent. Today, the dream of an African Space Agency, a vision cherished for years, has been gloriously realized.

On this precious occasion, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Government and People of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Their tireless efforts and considerable investment in the construction of these magnificent buildings are a strong testimony to the spirit of Ubuntu and the cherished African tradition of generosity.

Your Excellency the Prime Minister, this remarkable facility is more than just a building; it is a profound gift to the whole of Africa, a legacy of foresight that will resonate for generations to come. This architectural marvel is not only a tribute to the genius of ancient Egyptian engineering, but also a symbol of the resilient and forward-thinking spirit that characterizes our continent.

The more I look at this inspiring and visionary Space City, which is one of the flagships of Agenda Africa 2063, the more I am convinced that Agenda 2063 is achievable. This inauguration is a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve when we join forces, work together and pool our collective resources. We are gathered here not only to inaugurate the African Space Agency, but also to embark on a journey to the stars, a journey of infinite possibilities. From this day forward, we will ignite the imagination of our youth and inspire them to boldly expand Africa's footprint in the infinite reaches of space.

It is time that Africa is no longer a passive participant but an active contributor to the world's space endeavors, including missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. We have realized that space is no longer a distant frontier but a strategic imperative for socio-economic development and as a united continent, we can no longer afford to remain on the periphery. It is time for us to move from being passive participants to active contributors in global space exploration efforts, including missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.

We wholeheartedly thank our invaluable development partners who have supported space services on our continent through diverse and impactful projects. We know that space is a unifying force for progress and that its benefits are best realized through collaborative action across regional boundaries. We encourage you to join us even more as we launch visionary programs and missions with social impact.

Today does not mark the end, but a dynamic beginning. The African Space Agency will serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration and the advancement of African expertise in space science and technology. It will be a catalyst for economic growth, fostering job creation, driving technological advancement and addressing critical challenges such as climate change, resource management and connectivity.

Let us seize this moment with a shared sense of purpose and determination. Let us work together to ensure that the African Space Agency becomes a beacon of African ingenuity, a source of pride for all our citizens and a significant contributor to the global space community. Your Excellency, the African Union is determined to accompany you in every possible way to facilitate the realization of this vision.

To our national and regional space agencies: You are the building blocks that will set this agency in motion and make it a beacon of hope. May we all put our hands on deck to bring this ship to its destination.

I Thank You for Your Attention!