Angolan President João Lourenço announced the formation of the Angolan Space Agency during his State of the Nation address. The new agency will oversee all space-related activities in the country, marking a significant step toward developing Angola’s space capabilities.
This move is part of the broader National Space Programme, which aims to shift Angola from merely utilising space services and technologies to becoming an active operator and producer in the sector. The goal is to achieve technological independence in space.
President Lourenço highlighted that Angola already has its telecommunications satellite, Angosat-2, which is scheduled to be operational in January 2023. This satellite will facilitate the ‘Conecta Angola’ project, designed to extend communication services to the country’s most remote regions, with coverage already established in various localities across 13 provinces.
In an April 2025 interview, ICT Minister Mário Oliveira revealed plans for an Earth observation program to support environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, natural resource management, and disaster prevention. Airbus has been contracted to build Angola’s first Earth observation satellite, Angeo-1, with an estimated cost of €225 million.
The government is also working on establishing a space studies centre, developing a legal framework for the new agency, training local experts, and expanding communication, navigation, and meteorological infrastructure — all part of the ‘ICT White Paper 2023–2027.’
Angola’s efforts align with a continent-wide trend, as the African space sector received approximately $465 million in investments in 2024. The continent’s space market was valued at $22.6 billion that year and is expected to grow significantly by 2026, driven by satellite manufacturing, infrastructure projects, and the rise of NewSpace companies.
While the exact timeline for the Angolan Space Agency’s operational launch remains unspecified, the National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN) stated it is currently collaborating with major space agencies to define the legal and operational strategies necessary for the agency’s establishment.
