The Angolan Space Program ranks among the five largest on the African continent, according to the report “African Space Industry Market Analysis 2026”, produced by Space in Africa. The statement was made on Monday (20) by the organization’s CEO, Temidayo Oniosun, during the opening session of NewSpace Africa 2026, taking place in Libreville.

In his remarks, Oniosun highlighted Angola’s progress, positioning the country among Africa’s five largest space economies, alongside South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, and Nigeria.

The achievements of the National Space Program, resulting from the investment and vision of the Government of Angola under the coordination of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS), were also highlighted by the Chairman of the Council of the African Space Agency (AfSA), Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, during a meeting with the continent’s space agencies.

“We are striving, we must be capable, we must innovate. That is why we highlight the example of Angola, which is making significant progress. What people sometimes do not understand is that this country is changing. Those who have been involved in the space arena for more than twenty years can clearly see that,” he stated.

Angola is participating in what is considered Africa’s largest space conference, taking place from April 20 to 23 in the Gabonese capital. The opening panel brought together representatives from the continent’s leading space agencies, namely Algeria, Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt.

During his intervention at the main panel under the theme “Catalyzing Africa’s Commercial Space Economy,” the Director General of the National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN), Zolana João, highlighted that Angola built its space program “from scratch” and currently provides services with national and regional impact.

The Angolan delegation in Libreville is participating in several panels related to connectivity, as well as strategic meetings with delegations from various countries and companies in the space sector interested in learning about business opportunities within Angola’s space industry.

The delegation also participated in the meeting of Directors of the African Space Agency, where discussions focused on AfSA’s progress and upcoming activities, including training programs for young people and other opportunities for member states.

At the event, GGPEN also hosted an exclusive panel with Angolan specialists and partners, where products and services developed under the Angolan Space Program were discussed and presented. The Angolan delegation also includes the CEO of INFRASAT, Diogo de Carvalho, and a commercial team focused on identifying sales opportunities for ANGOSAT-2 capabilities across the African continent.

The opening of the space conference in Gabon was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola accredited to the Republic of Gabon, Joaquim do Espírito Santo, Gabonese Ministers of Communication, Housing and Urban Development, Public Service and Capacity Building, as well as representatives from dozens of countries.

Angola’s exhibition stand has been receiving visits from high-level officials, including the President of AfSA, directors of space agencies, and representatives from various companies and governments interested in accessing the products and services of the National Space Program.

Award Recognition

GEDAE Geodata Center Coordinator, Eng. Luciano Costa Dembue Lupedia, was recognized as one of Africa’s most outstanding young professionals in the space sector, reflecting the talent, dedication, and growing contribution of Angola to the development of the space economy on the continent.

The Young African Space Professionals Award 2026, a continent-wide merit-based recognition program, is a joint initiative of Space in Africa and the African Space Agency. Its objective is to highlight the next generation of students and professionals whose work is already influencing and measurably contributing to the development of Africa’s space sector.

NewSpace Africa 2026

The NewSpace Africa Conference is Africa’s leading business and policy event for space innovation, technology, and satellite advancements. It brings together decision-makers, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from Africa and beyond to shape the future of the industry through high-level discussions, agenda setting, presentations, collaborations, partnerships, and business strategy development.

It is worth recalling that Angola hosted the third edition of the NewSpace Africa Conference 2024, held from April 2 to 5, 2024, in Luanda under the coordination of MINTTICS. Organized by the African Union (AU) and Space in Africa, the event brought together more than 400 representatives from governments, space industry leaders, and space agencies from 46 countries and six continents to discuss the growth of Africa’s space economy.