April 22, 2026 / Source: Jornal de Angola
The Angolan Space Program ranks among the top five 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 by the organization’s executive director, Temidayo Oniosun, during the opening session of NewSpace Africa 2026, taking place in Libreville, Gabon.
In his remarks, Oniosun highlighted Angola’s progress, ranking the country among Africa’s top five space economies, alongside South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, and Nigeria.
The results of the National Space Program, a product of the Angolan government’s investment and vision, coordinated by the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Media (MINTTICS), were also highlighted by the chairman of the African Space Agency (AfSA) Council, 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 fail to understand is that this country is changing. Those who have been in the space arena for over twenty years can clearly see this,” he stated.
Angola is participating in what is considered the largest African space conference, which runs through tomorrow 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 remarks on the main panel titled “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 that it 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 in Angola’s space sector.
Angolan Youth Honored
The coordinator of the Geodata Center (GEDAE), Luciano Costa Dembue Lupedia, was honored as one of the most outstanding young African professionals in the space sector, reflecting Angola’s talent, dedication, and growing contribution to the development of the space economy on the continent.
According to a statement sent to Jornal de Angola, the Young African Space Professionals Award 2026—a merit-based continental recognition program—is a joint initiative of Space in Africa and the African Space Agency. Its goal is to highlight the next generation of students and professionals whose work is already influencing and contributing, in a measurable way, to the development of the space sector in Africa.
The award ceremony took place during the NewSpace Africa Conference, Africa’s premier business and policy event for innovation, technology, and advancements in space and satellite sectors. The conference brings together decision-makers, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from Africa and abroad, shaping the future of the industry through in-depth discussions, agenda-setting, presentations, collaborations, and partnerships, as well as the development of business strategies.
Angola hosted the third edition of the NewSpace Africa Conference, held from April 2 to 5, 2024, in Luanda, under the coordination of MINTTICS.
The event, organized by the African Union (AU) and Space in Africa, 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 the African space economy.