Today, the NewSpace Africa Conference – a market – is a pivotal platform for all industry leaders, companies, investors, key stakeholders in the African space and satellite industry. We have seen it at the exhibition, very impressive. The theme, “Empowering Africa’s Economy through Space-driven Innovation,” really underscores the transformative potential of space technologies in driving economic growth and development across the whole continent. I attended yesterday the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) and I would like to congratulate you on the excellent perspective of the future of AfSA. As EU, we feel this is a new era in Africa’s space development. It positions AfSA as the central body for promoting collaboration on space initiatives across the continent. That is really a testament to Africa’s commitment to advancing space capabilities and leveraging space technology for continental development.

The numbers speak for themselves: the EU, the 27 Member States – many are here today, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, we mobilised already EUR 179 billion for public and private investments for Global Gateway from 2021 to 2023. We are targeting EUR 300 billion goal of investments by 2027, to really actively help to implement Africa’s Agenda 2063. There is a lot of work to be done. We are absolutely not where we want to be. Together, we need to scale up Global Gateway and bring it to where it must be through stronger engagement – you have it from our end and we are very much looking forward to working with our African partners, including the private sector. The European Union has long recognised the importance of space cooperation with Africa. Our partnership is built on shared values and mutual interests. We aim to foster innovation, to enhance scientific research, address global challenges, firmly rooted in what we call the alignment of our strategies and policies. There is the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, the AU-EU Partnership, the AU-EU Space dialogue, the Africa Space Strategy and Policy, and the European Space Programme, including Copernicus and Galileo. All reflect our shared vision for a prosperous and technologically advanced future. This is a solid foundation for our continued collaboration.

As many of us saw yesterday during the inauguration: the partnership we have – the European Union with Africa – it has anchored for more than 20 years in programmes supporting the use of Earth observation and satellite navigation data in areas as varied as natural resource management, measuring the impact of human activities and reducing climate risks. Our recent EUR 100 million Space Partnership Programme between Africa and the EU is a clear demonstration of our commitment to bring or cooperation to a more strategic level, in a consolidated and integrated manner. It will promote space-based solutions to support decision-making processes and help much needed progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. This programme focuses on Earth Observation and Satellite Navigation based technologies while promoting synergies with Secure Satellite Connectivity services. Continuity and scaling up of the ongoing space-related initiatives should be and will be ensured, whilst also being complemented by a stronger partnership at institutional and policy level, and at the level of the private sector. This is the comprehensive approach we are looking for and working towards in space investment.