The Ivorian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research organized a workshop for the appropriation of draft texts with a view to the creation of an Ivorian Space Agency (ASI). The workshop was held on July 28 and 29, 2022, in the boardroom of the Félix Houphouët Boigny University in Cocody. This workshop was necessary because the conquest of space is a strategic necessity for development and protection. In addition, space observation tools (nanosatellites, drones, etc.) are crucial for economic development and territorial security.

The workshop began with Professor Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, urging participants to have more “flexibility in discussions”. He noted that “policy makers are waiting for us. We have no right to disappoint them. The texts must be revisited, updated as soon as possible”, affirming that the scientists of the ministry “count on the participants” so that “the texts are up to the ambitions set by Côte d’Ivoire”. The Minister also invited the presidents of public universities and research centers to update their training programs.

Also present was Dr. Tidianne Ouattara, expert in space sciences at the African Union Commission. He made a scoping presentation identifying the challenges of establishing a national space agency. According to him, “the African landscape is a cross-market of satellites”. More than a hundred people participated in the workshop. The participants came from several technical ministries, research centers and institutes. The Ivorian Space Agency will be inspired by the texts of around thirty space agencies.

The Minister had previously announced that Côte d’Ivoire was setting up its national space agency during the second GMES and Africa Continental Forum. According to him, the agency will come under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Additionally, the nation will strategically partner with the AUC and the EU to set up the agency properly.

Faleti Joshua is a passionate lover of space in all its incomprehensible nature. He holds an LL.B and a BL. Joshua is a music lover and a lawyer in his spare time.