The Director General stated: “It is a great honour and a deep emotion to represent the Italian Space Agency today on this historic day that marks the official inauguration of the African Space Agency, which represents not only a step forward for Africa in the panorama of space exploration, but also a clear signal of the ambition, vision and ability of the African continent to be a protagonist in the great challenges of our time”.

The strong bond between Italy and Africa in the space field was underlined, recalling the long history of cooperation that began in the 1960s with Luigi Broglio settling a base in Malindi, an emblem of a partnership uniting science, innovation and diplomacy.

“That base, built thanks to the pioneering vision of Professor Luigi Broglio – Salamone stated – has represented a bridge between Europe and Africa for decades, contributing to the progress of knowledge and shared growth. Today, with the launch of the African Space Agency, that bridge becomes even stronger.”

In reiterating Italy’s support for the new Agency, the Italian commitment was recalled in the context of the Mattei Plan for Africa, a strategic initiative promoted by the Italian Government to strengthen fair and sustainable partnerships with African countries. In recent months, the Italian Space Agency has initiated a dialogue with twenty-two African countries, which met for the first time in Rome on 15 July 2024 and the second time in Milan on the occasion of the IAC in last October.

“Within the Mattei Plan,” Salamone explained, “the Italian Space Agency is collaborating with 22 African countries to define a series of joint initiatives in the field of training and capacity building, with the aim of promoting local skills and strengthening national capabilities in the space sector.” ASI Director General concluded his speech by expressing the hope that the creation of the African Space Agency can represent a driver of opportunities and innovation for the entire African continent, reaffirming Italy’s role as a serious and reliable partner, ready to continue a long and fruitful collaboration in the name of shared growth.