On 4 June 2025, the Council of Ministers of Côte d’Ivoire approved a decree establishing the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire (ASCI) following a proposal by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly made the announcement during the official briefing on the Council’s proceedings.
ASCI has been created to oversee the peaceful use and exploitation of outer space, with a mandate to strengthen national capabilities and lay the institutional and technical foundations for developing the space sector in Côte d’Ivoire.
Additionally, ASCI will operate as a public administrative institution tasked with coordinating national space science and technology initiatives.
Its responsibilities will include advancing the utilisation of space-based technologies for sustainable development, promoting domestic expertise, and supporting scientific research.
The agency’s areas of focus will include Earth observation for environmental monitoring, agricultural development, and the management of natural resources.
It will also engage in space weather, astronomy, and space exploration activities. In parallel, ASCI will seek to expand the use of satellite navigation and telecommunications to support improved geolocation systems and national connectivity.
The creation of ASCI reflects the government’s intention to apply space technologies to national priorities such as economic development, environmental protection, and territorial security.
It also forms part of a broader strategy to modernise Côte d’Ivoire’s research landscape and enhance its presence in regional and international scientific frameworks.
With ASCI, Côte d’Ivoire aims to establish a coherent, nationally anchored approach to space development that supports both current needs and future ambitions in science, education, and innovation.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2025/06/05/cote-divoire-establishes-national-space-agency-to-advance-its-space-programme/
