Space as a concrete lever for Africa-Europe partnership, says EU ambassador Cécile Abadie at NewSpace Africa conference
via Gabon Review2 min read
At the opening of the 5th NewSpace Africa conference in Libreville on April 20, 2026, Cécile Abadie, the European Union Ambassador to Gabon, emphasized the strategic role of space in the partnership between Africa and Europe. She highlighted the tangible benefits already being realized by African populations. Abadie stated that space is a foundational pillar of the partnership between the European Union and the African Union, providing concrete services to African populations. She noted that cooperation has moved from concepts to concrete operations. She detailed several programs demonstrating this transformation. Initiatives like GMES & Africa use satellite data to improve water management, agriculture, and coastal zone management, directly benefiting farmers, coastal communities, and the blue economy. In the climate sector, the ClimSA program enhances access to meteorological data and early warning systems, aiding risk anticipation and agricultural planning. The future ANGA system is also mentioned, designed to provide high-precision navigation services, particularly for air safety on the continent. This dynamic is supported by European space programs such as Copernicus and Galileo, which are utilized for sustainable development, security, and digital transformation in Africa. Abadie explained that this cooperation aligns with the strategic framework of "Global Gateway," which aims to finance sustainable infrastructure, including in the space sector, consistent with the Afr
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