In a strategic move to bolster the space industry and technology in Egypt, the New Administrative Capital witnessed the inauguration of the headquarters of the African Space Agency in the new Space City.
This marks a significant milestone in the continent’s journey towards space exploration and the utilization of its sciences to serve sustainable development goals. It also underscores Egypt’s strength through serious investment in this vital sector, aiming for a foothold and a fair share in this promising industry and its growing returns.
The Egyptian state is constructing the Space City on an area of 115 acres to encompass various space-related activities.
These include the main building of the Egyptian Space Agency, the administrative building, a conference hall, a major library specializing in the space field, and a large monitoring and control building for the city. Additionally, it will house a complex of buildings and facilities for technicians and workers at the satellite assembly center, as well as a structural model laboratory, a space environment laboratory, and a space solar cell testing laboratory.
The headquarters of the African Space Agency is one of the cornerstones of the first phase of the city’s construction. This phase includes the main headquarters of the Egyptian Space Agency, the Space Academy, and the satellite assembly and testing center, which is considered the largest of its kind in Africa and the Middle East. It also includes a satellite control station and part of the laboratories building.
Effective Steps Adopted
Analysts have affirmed that the Egypt has adopted numerous effective steps in space technology during the past period, which strengthens its national strategy in this vital field. This has been achieved through the localization of satellite technology and the launch of several satellites, most recently the success of the satellite design and production center in December, which produced the first Egyptian satellite, “MisrSat-2,” with Chinese expertise and its launch from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China.
A recent report by the Business Africa platform revealed that Egypt ranks first in Africa in terms of satellite ownership, with a total of 13 satellites, equal to South Africa. Nigeria follows with 7 satellites, and Algeria with 6. The value of the global space economy is estimated at around $469 billion, while the African space industry, valued at $19.49 billion in 2021, is projected to grow by 16.16% to reach $22.64 billion by 2026.
Egypt Among the Pioneers
Analysts pointed out that upon the completion of the Egyptian Space City, Egypt will be one of only 10 countries with space cities.
It is expected to contribute 10% to the GDP. Egypt has already achieved several milestones, including the launch of the new satellite “NileSat 301” aboard the American company SpaceX’s “Falcon 9” rocket two years ago. It also intends to launch the “SphinxSat” satellite this year to study climate change, the atmosphere, and weather patterns, in addition to launching the African Development Satellite by the end of 2025. This satellite is dedicated to studying climate change and is being implemented in cooperation with five African countries: Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, and South Sudan.
The Egyptian Space Agency is hosting the “New Space Africa 2025” conference until April 24th, with broad participation from representatives of African and international space agencies, in coordination with the African Space Agency. The conference includes 20 discussion sessions, 15 keynote speeches, and several workshops showcasing the latest developments in space technology and international cooperation in the field.
According to the opening statements of the African Space Agency, it was emphasized that the agency is an effective tool for achieving digital transformation, supporting sustainable development, and promoting technological advancement across the continent.
It was noted that the agency will implement several vital objectives, including expanding internet services to cover all parts of Africa and contributing to the digitization of governmental and service institutions to enhance performance efficiency and bring services closer to citizens. It will also develop early warning systems to enable the continent to face risks and disasters, protecting lives, property, infrastructure, and addressing problems arising from climate change.
Egypt on the Track
Egypt has provided scientific and technical support through its experts, in addition to hosting numerous technical meetings in Cairo. This contributed to the preparation and adoption of the first unified policy and strategy for space science and technology in Africa during the African Heads of State Summit in 2016.
Egypt successfully presented a comprehensive file to host the permanent headquarters of the agency, and its selection was officially approved during the Heads of State Summit in 2019.
A report by the “Space in Africa” consulting firm mentioned that African countries have prepared an ambitious plan to launch more than three times their current number of satellites over the next few years. It clarified that as of the end of 2022, the African continent had successfully launched at least 52 satellites, adding that the African space industry is expanding, and African countries are increasingly using space technology to address key challenges.
The African continent is home to over 270 space startups working on developing innovative space technologies and providing space-tech-enabled services to meet market needs in various sectors.
So, what are Egypt’s most important pillars for implementing its ambitious strategy in the field of space technology, and what are the most prominent steps it will take to establish itself among the major players? The experts gave the answers to Follow ICT in this report.
Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, stated that there are numerous projects for developing satellites and localizing their manufacturing in Egypt, such as projects for satellite subsystems, some of which relate to the complete assembly and integration of satellites. He pointed out that there is a joint project among five African countries for the African Development Satellite to achieve sustainable development. He also noted Egypt’s extensive international cooperation in the space field, with partnerships with European, Arab, Asian, and African countries.
The Information and Decision Support Center of the Cabinet monitored the details of the establishment of the Egyptian Space Agency in 2018, noting that Egypt’s space history extends further back. It was home to the first observatory in the world 7,000 years ago, which was used in astronomy to understand the movement of the sun and planets to determine the beginning of the year, the agricultural season, and the harvest, according to the CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency.
Expanding Localisation of Satellite Tech
Sedky emphasized that the agency’s current strategy focuses on expanding the localization of satellite technology to meet the requirements of sustainable development in the country across various fields. He indicated that the coming period will witness the launch of a constellation of satellites that will contribute to enhancing Egypt’s leading role in Africa in the field of space science and technology.
In his speech, Sedky affirmed that the inauguration of the African Space Agency represents a pivotal moment in the continent’s journey towards space exploration and the utilization of its sciences to serve sustainable development goals. He pointed out that Egypt’s hosting of the agency’s headquarters within the Egyptian Space City reflects its deep belief in the importance of African integration in the field of space science and technology.
He also noted that the agency will play a central role in implementing the policy and strategy in line with achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063, praising Egypt’s generous support of $20 million to enhance the agency’s operations and provide the necessary advanced infrastructure for its activities.
Pioneering Initiatives
Sedky reviewed the pioneering initiatives launched by Egypt to support the African space sector, most notably the “African Training Program,” which has graduated 71 specialized engineers and scientists from 34 African countries, and the “African Satellite for Development” project, which is being developed in cooperation with several sister countries to address the challenges of climate change by providing accurate space data.
According to a recent report by the Business Africa platform, citing data from the African Space Industry’s annual report, plans are underway to launch 125 new development satellites in 23 African countries in 2025, indicating significant growth in space activities on the continent.
For his part, Ahmed Farid, an expert at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), affirmed that Egypt’s hosting of the African space agencies conference at this time is an important step in strengthening scientific and economic cooperation among African countries in the space field. He pointed out that this hosting is a commendable achievement that highlights Egypt’s leading role in the continent’s space industry.
He explained that cooperation among African space agencies will have a significant impact on accelerating the development of the space sector in Africa, which is still in its early stages compared to major countries such as the United States, Europe, Russia, and China. He added that Africa has some emerging space projects but needs greater support and cooperation to develop this industry.
Regarding the prospects for the space industry in Africa, Farid pointed out that the sector is witnessing remarkable development and is expected to grow by 16.16% to reach $22.64 million by 2026. He emphasized that Egypt, as one of the leading countries in this field in Africa, plays a pivotal role in this growth, alongside South Africa.
He noted that the actual returns from space science extend to the daily lives of citizens. Most of the technologies we use today, whether in communications, resource management, or even other fields, are essentially discoveries or innovations related to space that have been developed to become part of our daily lives. He pointed out that Egypt seeks to localize and develop the peaceful use of space science and technology and build space systems with purely Egyptian technology, contributing to the preparation of generations of scientific personnel.
Ashraf Shaker, Head of the Astronomy Department at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, affirmed that coordination among African countries through the agency could be beneficial in effectively managing climate changes. Cooperation is possible in the field of creating satellites that monitor the problem before it reaches the national borders of each country.
He pointed out the possibility of the continent having its own satellite tracking system, similar to what China has done with its BeiDou system, separate from GPS, which it employs in various fields, most importantly adapting to climate changes. This system allows ships, for example, to receive messages before strong winds (Nawaat) occur at sea with sufficient time to take necessary protective measures.
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Regarding Egypt’s specific benefit from hosting the agency’s headquarters on its soil, he said that “the presence of the headquarters in Cairo is a recognition that it is the country that possesses the expertise to help launch the project, just as the headquarters of the European Space Agency is in Germany, which is one of the most advanced countries in space technology fields. This will support space technology in Egypt and increase the number of specialized experts in this field. It will also provide significant economic advantages to Cairo, as it is the country from which important economic projects supported by the satellites launched by the agency will emerge.”
Fertile Ground for Investment
Mohamed El-Ghamry, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EgyptSat, stated that the field of space technology is a fertile ground for investment. He emphasized that the Egyptian state possesses significant expertise and qualified personnel working in the field of space science and satellite technology, given its importance in securing countries and protecting them from cyberattacks.
He pointed out that the Egyptian state has a dedicated space science agency, noting its pivotal role in working to provide advanced research in the field of space science and technology, and that the number of scientific research papers in this regard is expected to increase in the future.
El-Ghamry anticipated that the coming period would witness the establishment of strategic partnerships between the Egyptian and Emirati sides in the field of space science, through working on sending Egyptian personnel to assist the UAE in developing its research and completing its projects.
He emphasized Egypt’s possession of qualified technical personnel and vast human resource capabilities that qualify it to work on presenting a competitive model for creating an integrated system in the field of space technology and satellites, indicating that leading global experiences in space technology, such as France, America, and Canada, rely on successful Egyptian expertise.
He stressed the necessity of enacting laws that incentivize investment in space technology science to create an attractive investment climate for investors, while emphasizing the need for stable laws that do not change from year to year, with the aim of ensuring positive results in the field of space science and satellite technology, as he described it.
International Cooperation is Crucial
For her part, Kimberly Robinson, Executive Director of the US Space & Rocket Center, emphasized the importance of enhancing international cooperation in space exploration, noting that Egypt, through the Egyptian and African space agencies, possesses significant potential to be an effective partner in this field.
During an event organized by the US Embassy in Cairo, she explained, “The United States can be an important partner for Egypt and the African Space Agency in the future, as we can work together through technology, scientific research, and shared resources to achieve greater progress in space exploration.”
She added that joint work between the two countries could contribute to achieving more impactful and powerful results, noting that innovation and technology in space exploration can lead to greater economic prosperity. She explained that the exploitation of space data can bring about a qualitative leap in fields such as weather forecasting, climate understanding, and adaptation.
Robinson affirmed that “progress in the field of space exploration is not limited to space goals only, but can lead to improvements in multiple fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and communications.”
Robinson pointed out the importance of robots in space exploration but stressed that the presence of humans in these missions is indispensable, especially in dealing with challenges and solving problems directly.
