United Nation Office for Outer Space Affairs
Special Session – ASEICC 2026
Date
Date: Day 1 of ASEICC 2026
Time
Time: 11:10 – 13:10
Venue
Venue: Main Plenary Hall
The UNOOSA High-Level Ministerial Dialogue is a flagship session of ASEICC 2026, bringing together Africa’s and the world’s leading space leaders to discuss collaboration, capacity-building, and the advancement of Africa’s space economy.
Distinguished Leadership & Confirmed High-Level Speakers
This session will convene 16 Directors-General, CEOs, and Presidents of space agencies, including:
- Hon. Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh – Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Nigeria
- Dr. Matthew O. Adepoju – Director-General / CEO, NASRDA
- Prof. Sherif Sedky – Former CEO, Egyptian Space Agency; Professor, American University, Cairo
- H.E. Dr. Ouattara Tidiane – President, African Space Council
- Dr. Humbulani Mudau – Director-General / CEO, South African National Space Agency
- Dr. Eng. Maged Ismail – Director-General / CEO, Egyptian Space Agency
- Brig. Hillary B. Kipkosgey – Director-General / CEO, Kenya Space Agency
- Maram Kairé – Director-General / CEO, Senegalese Space Agency
- Dr. Ricardo Conde – President, Portuguese Space Agency
- H.E. Eng. Salem Al Qubaisi – Director-General / CEO, UAE Space Agency
- Prof. Teodoro Valente – President, Italian Space Agency
- H.E. Salem Humaid Al Marri – Director-General, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
- Marco Antonio Chamon – President, Brazilian Space Agency
- Dr. Joseph Bremang – Director / Deputy Director, Ghana Space Science & Technology Institute
- Dr. Driss El Hadani – Deputy Director, UNOOSA Representative
Who Can Attend the UNOOSA Special Session
This session is designed for companies, organizations, and institutions interested in understanding and applying space and geospatial technologies in Africa.
Government and Policy Makers
Ministers, senior government officials, national space regulators, and strategic policymakers
Space Agencies and Industry Leaders
Directors, CEOs, and representatives of African and international space agencies Executives from satellite operators, global space companies, and local space system manufacturers, Security Agencies
Upstream – Technology and Hardware Companies
Satellite Manufacturers, Space Startups and companies designing Satellites, sensors, Spacecraft component, related software & hardware Engineering and technology firms creating propulsion systems, avionics, or other Space subsystems
Midstream – Data and Connectivity Providers
GIS, geospatial intelligence, remote sensing, and Earth observation companies Startups and tech firms using data analytics, AI, spatial analytics, and cloud platforms Companies providing satellite communication or connectivity services
Downstream – Application and Service Companies
Agriculture, climate, and environmental management companies Oil and gas, energy, and natural resource operators Telecom, internet service providers, and smart city solution companies Security, logistics, and infrastructure companies Firms providing data-driven products, software platforms, or value-added services
Investors and Development Partners
Banks, venture capital firms, and investment companies interested in technology-driven growth Development agencies and NGOs supporting innovation and capacity building Strategic partners looking to fund or collaborate with startups and technology innovators
Research, Education and Innovation Hubs
Universities, research centers, and STEM institutions, students Innovation hubs, incubators, and training organizations contributing to knowledge and skills
Media and Communication Organizations
Media outlets, journalists, and science communicators reporting on technology, innovation, and development
Why This UNOOSA Special Session Is Important
The UNOOSA High-Level Ministerial Dialogue is a strategic platform for Africa. By bringing together African and international leaders, companies, and innovators, the session will:
- Foster collaboration and partnerships across countries, industries, and sectors
- Support capacity-building in space science, technology, and applications
- Highlight how satellite and geospatial data can drive socio-economic development, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience
- Enable evidence-based decision-making and innovation for governments and businesses
- Strengthen Africa’s role in the global space economy
Benefit of this Session:
This session is a unique opportunity to show how Space technologies can make a real difference in Africa. It will demonstrate how Satellites and Space applications can help solve everyday problems and improve life across the Africa continent.this session raises awareness about how space technologies are not just “far away science” they are practical tools that can drive socio economic growth, improve services, and connect Africa’s future to global innovation.