Africa–EU Space Partnership Programme (AESPP) Business Matchmaking at Africa Space Expo (ASPEX) 2026
Overview
ASPEX 2026 (Africa Space Expo) is a continental space-sector event bringing together governments, space agencies, private companies, researchers, and investors to structure and operationalise Africa’s space economy. It is positioned as a business-oriented platform focused on translating space capabilities into applied economic and development outcomes. The event is designed to facilitate partnerships, contracting, and deployment of space-related solutions across African priority sectors.
Key Details
ASPEX 2026 will take place from 24–26 September 2026 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, at the Abidjan Exhibition Park and Radisson Blu Hotel. It is a joint initiative of the African Union and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, implemented through the African Space Agency (AfSA) and the Côte d’Ivoire Space Agency (ASCI), with operational leadership by the Eburnie Space Foundation. The event expects over 10,000 participants and more than 300 exhibition stands.
Purpose and Strategic Focus
The event aims to position space infrastructure as a strategic tool for governance, economic development, and sovereignty in Africa. It focuses on building a continental framework for the development, coordination, and deployment of space-based solutions. ASPEX functions as a coordination and execution platform intended to move space initiatives from discussion to structured partnerships and implementation.
Scope / Priority Areas
The thematic focus is on applied space technologies supporting African development priorities. Key areas include agriculture and climate monitoring, security and resilience systems, connectivity and telecommunications, land use planning, finance applications, and public governance tools. Emphasis is placed on transforming space capabilities into operational services and commercial or public-sector deployments.
Participation / Eligibility
Participation is open to:
- Governments and public institutions
- African and international space agencies
- Private sector actors (including startups and industrialists)
- Universities and research institutions
- Innovators, youth representatives
- Women in the space sector
- Civil society
Outputs / Activities / Format
The programme combines exhibition space, business matchmaking, project laboratories, and pitching and acceleration sessions. It also includes institutional dialogues and networking aimed at facilitating partnerships, contracts, and pilot project initiation. The format prioritises applied collaboration between decision-makers, operators, and investors.
Selection / Evaluation
No formal selection or evaluation process for participation is described. Engagement appears structured around participation type (exhibitor, investor, institution, or delegate) rather than competitive proposal review.
Strategic Relevance
ASPEX reflects an effort to institutionalise Africa’s space sector as a coordinated economic and policy domain rather than a fragmented set of initiatives. It is strategically relevant for space-enabled development, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation, infrastructure planning, and digital governance. The platform also supports broader objectives of technological sovereignty, regional integration, and public–private partnership development in emerging space economies.