Distinguished Guests,

I am honoured to be with you today, representing the European Union, at the NewSpace Africa Conference 2025. 

First of all, I would like to express my sincere condolences with all who are mourning the passing of his holiness Pope Francis. His contagious smile captured millions of people’s hears around the globe. “The people’s pope” love for life, hope for peace and compassion, and especially social justice.

I also want to say “Welcome to Egypt” to those who come from other parts of the world, as I am based here. The European Union and Egypt have a wonderful partnership, very strong, comprehensive, strategic, at all levels. We as the EU are very grateful for the cooperation we have.

Today, the NewSpace Africa Conference – a market – is a pivotal platform for all industry leaders, companies, investors, key stakeholders in the African space and satellite industry. We have seen it at the exhibition, very impressive. The theme, "Empowering Africa's Economy through Space-driven Innovation," really underscores the transformative potential of space technologies in driving economic growth and development across the whole continent.

I attended yesterday the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) and I would like to congratulate you on the excellent perspective of the future of AfSA. As EU, we feel this is a new era in Africa’s space development. It positions AfSA as the central body for promoting collaboration on space initiatives across the continent. That is really a testament to Africa's commitment to advancing space capabilities and leveraging space technology for continental development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Some global actors are disengaging. Some, not all. Certainly not the European Union, our engagement is stronger and deeper than any time before.  The financing gaps we are seeing today are widening everywhere and need to be addressed. We need to make sure that the SDGs become a reality. For their implementation, we still need a staggering USD 4 trillion annually. That is a lot of money, but it is not always the money that is the problem. As we know, it is sometime the perseverance and the political will that shall be much stronger. 

We believe that our response as EU though the Global Gateway. You will also see this here at our booth at the exhibition. It is one of the key pillars of our engagement and our outreach. It is comprehensive, values-based; it is a win-win for our partner countries.

Intercontinental connectivity is more important than ever. With Global Gateway, we want to reduce the infrastructure deficit that has been mentioned many times this morning. We want to work on strategic investments in hard infrastructure (railways, ports, roads) and enable the environment (regulatory framework, capacity building, skills) through a holistic, 360-degree approach. A lot can be done by AI, but it is us on the human level that make sure that the quality, equity and equality will be maintained. 

The numbers speak for themselves: the EU, the 27 Member States – many are here today, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, we mobilised already EUR 179 billion for public and private investments for Global Gateway from 2021 to 2023. We are targeting EUR 300 billion goal of investments by 2027, to really actively help to implement Africa’s Agenda 2063. There is a lot of work to be done. We are absolutely not where we want to be. Together, we need to scale up Global Gateway and bring it to where it must be through stronger engagement – you have it from our end and we are very much looking forward to working with our African partners, including the private sector.

The European Union has long recognised the importance of space cooperation with Africa. Our partnership is built on shared values and mutual interests. We aim to foster innovation, to enhance scientific research, address global challenges, firmly rooted in what we call the alignment of our strategies and policies. There is the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, the AU-EU Partnership, the AU-EU Space dialogue, the Africa Space Strategy and Policy, and the European Space Programme, including Copernicus and Galileo. All reflect our shared vision for a prosperous and technologically advanced future. This is a solid foundation for our continued collaboration.

Space is a strong element of our digital strategy and is therefore increasingly important in our cooperation: from infrastructure needs to capacity building, from political decision-makers to private sector players.

As many of us saw yesterday during the inauguration: the partnership we have – the European Union with Africa – it has anchored for more than 20 years in programmes supporting the use of Earth observation and satellite navigation data in areas as varied as natural resource management, measuring the impact of human activities and reducing climate risks. We are very proud of this deep cooperation. 

This partnership is expressed, among others, in achievements such as the “GMES, the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa” programme, was developed on the basis of the European Copernicus programme, the first global earth observation program – a true European pioneer. 

Our collaboration also supports satellite navigation, notably through the Joint EGNOS Programme Office, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, which supports ASECNA to improve the safety and efficiency of air navigation over the continent.

Our recent EUR 100 million Space Partnership Programme between Africa and the EU is a clear demonstration of our commitment to bring or cooperation to a more strategic level, in a consolidated and integrated manner. It will promote space-based solutions to support decision-making processes and help much needed progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 

This programme focuses on Earth Observation and Satellite Navigation based technologies while promoting synergies with Secure Satellite Connectivity services. Continuity and scaling up of the ongoing space-related initiatives should be and will be ensured, whilst also being complemented by a stronger partnership at institutional and policy level, and at the level of the private sector. This is the comprehensive approach we are looking for and working towards in space investment.

There is a special session in the programme this afternoon. The EU Ambassador to the African Union is also here with you this afternoon. I hope that many of you will participate these discussions. 

Lastly, the geopolitical significance of our partnership cannot be overstated. It is an open door, but extremely important. In this world where geopolitical dynamics are constantly evolving, our collaboration in space technology sends that real powerful message. It demonstrates that Africa and the EU, we are united in our pursuit of progress and innovation – of really making the difference. We are united, committed to work together to address all these pressing challenges of our time, from climate change to economic development. 

It is an exciting journey we are embarking on together, I am confident that the next days of the NewSpace Africa Conference will help catalyse our ideas and productive collaborations around it. We are looking forward to a lot of good outcomes. I am glad that this is taking place in Egypt and to be here with all of you today. Thank you for your collaboration.