Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The UAE Space Agency has signed two agreements aimed at expanding cooperation with African partners in Earth observation, satellite data, capacity building and space innovation, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
The agreements were signed during the inaugural Africa Space Expo in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the UAE delegation was led by Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency.
The first agreement was a memorandum of understanding with the African Space Agency covering cooperation in peaceful space activities. The second was a letter of intent with Angola’s National Space Program Management Office.
Organised by the African Space Agency and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire through the Côte d’Ivoire Space Agency, the expo brought together governments, space agencies, companies, investors and researchers. It focused on using space technologies to address Africa’s development priorities.
Al Qubaisi said space technology was increasingly being used across Africa to protect harvests, manage water resources, respond to disasters and plan growing cities.
“The UAE intends to be a long-term partner in that work,” he said, adding that the agreements were intended to move cooperation “from dialogue to delivery”.
He said the partnerships would also connect UAE institutions, companies and talent with new partners and markets as the country implements its National Space Strategy 2031.
“They also reflect our belief that space capabilities create the greatest value when they are shared and applied to real challenges on Earth,” Al Qubaisi said.
The memorandum with the African Space Agency was signed by Al Qubaisi and Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency.
It covers space science and applications, Earth observation and the use of satellite data for climate monitoring, disaster management and food security. Other areas include space policy and regulation, talent development and collaboration between African and UAE startups.
The two agencies will prepare a joint action plan to translate the identified priorities into specific activities.
The letter of intent with Angola was signed by Al Qubaisi and Zolana Rui João, General Director of the National Space Program Management Office.
It sets out plans for cooperation in Earth observation, satellite-data sharing and applications, satellite development, research and innovation, and space policy. The partnership will also support training programmes, technical exchanges and internships for specialists from both countries.
The visit supports the National Space Strategy 2031’s focus on expanding international partnerships and access to global markets. The strategy seeks to position the UAE among the world’s 10 leading space economies by 2031.
Its targets include increasing the space sector’s value added by 60%, doubling revenue and investment in space infrastructure, and expanding the number of UAE space companies and startups.
During the expo, Al Qubaisi also met government officials and space-sector leaders from Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal and Mozambique.
The discussions covered Earth observation, disaster response, satellite data and artificial intelligence, small-satellite development, skills development and knowledge exchange. The meetings also considered potential cooperation through the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters and the development of joint initiatives.
