Djibouti, long recognised for its strategic location along global maritime trade routes, now asserts itself in the space sector.
With ambitions to become a regional space science and technology hub, the country has successfully conducted its first Earth Observation EO mission, supported by French institutions, on April 9, 2025.
This historic milestone builds upon Djibouti’s strategic collaboration with France, formalised through a declaration of intent signed in December 2024, and aims to harness satellite technology for national development, particularly in areas like climate resilience, urban planning, and maritime security.
The expertise mission was carried out in partnership with France’s Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), and IGN-FI (Institut National de l’Information Géographique et Forestière International), with the support of the Embassy of France in Djibouti.
Leading the mission was Aboubaker Hassan, Secretary General of Djibouti’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research, who emphasised the mission’s goal of unlocking the potential of satellite-derived data for actionable outcomes across key national sectors.
The EO mission represents a significant outcome of sustained groundwork since the December 2024 bilateral agreement with France.
Among the key developments is Djibouti’s plan to establish the Djibouti Space Agency (DSA), a central body to coordinate and manage the country’s growing space activities.
The proposed agency will:
Consolidate space policy and avoid fragmentation of efforts
Streamline international partnerships, particularly with leading spacefaring nations
Promote private sector involvement in space-related innovation and services
Through the DSA and aligned initiatives, Djibouti is formulating a national space strategy rooted in
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2025/04/11/djibouti-conducts-first-earth-observation-mission-with-french-support/
