The Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme (AESPP) is co-owned Africa-European initiative funded by the European Commission under the Global Gateway strategy. AESPP strengthens collaboration between the European Union and Africa in space technologies, services and applications, helping expand the use of space-based solutions to address development priorities across the continent.

e-GEOS, a company owned by the Italian Space Agency (20%) and Telespazio (80%) of the Leonardo Group, is providing technical training to the African Space Agency (AfSA), thereby contributing to the development of strategic expertise in the space sector across the continent.

The initiative is part of the AESPP institutional cooperation project, promoted by the European Space Agency (ESA) on behalf of the African Space Agency and implemented by an international consortium led by PwC France. This consortium comprises e-GEOS, Endurosat, S-Hubs Africa, EARSC and FDC, supported by the Italian Space Agency and ALSO Space.

The activities began with a kick-off meeting at the ESA-ESRIN centre in Frascati (Rome) and will run until 2028.

The activity aims to support the African Space Agency, established in 2025 as the continental coordinating authority for space, in strengthening its institutional, managerial, technical and operational capabilities. The programme involves the development of strategic studies, infrastructure planning, training activities and communication initiatives, with the aim of laying solid foundations for effective and sustainable long-term operations.

As part of the project, e-GEOS is responsible for delivering advanced technical training programmes, with the aim of developing technical expertise, leadership and coordination skills in the main fields within the space sector.

During the kick-off meeting, e-GEOS presented its training model, which is based on its well-established international experience in providing training in the geospatial sector for institutions, organisations and companies. The programme is built around modular and bespoke courses – tailored to the specific learning needs – with a dynamic approach that incorporates feedback and regular opportunities for discussion, enabling the content to be progressively adapted and ensuring a truly effective transfer of skills.

“At e-GEOS, we believe that space is a tangible driver of sustainable development on Earth and, with this in mind, we are proud to contribute to strengthening the African Space Agency’s capabilities at a particularly significant moment for the sector’s growth across the continent”, commented C. Milena A. Lerario, CEO of e-GEOS. “The initiative is part of the broader framework of European cooperation in the space sector, a virtuous model based on synergy between institutions and industry, enabled by the contribution of leading companies such as Leonardo, and capable of generating shared value and supporting the development of strategic capabilities at a global level.”

AESPP forms part of the European Union’s Global Gateway, the strategy launched in 2021 to strengthen global connections in the digital, energy and transport sectors, and to support the development of health, education and research systems. In this context, the programme represents a significant step towards an even more structured collaboration between Africa and Europe, based on the mutual enhancement of expertise and priorities. It reflects the recognition that space is a key asset for addressing Africa’s development challenges and opportunities.

The African Space Agency is responsible for implementing the continent’s space policy and strategy, ensuring coordination between regional and national initiatives and promoting collaboration between the agencies of Member States, with the aim of strengthening Africa’s role in the global space landscape.