The second edition of Senegal Space Week convened in Dakar from 19 to 22 May 2026, once again bringing together representatives from government, academia, industry, and the international space community under one roof.
Organised by the Agence Sénégalaise d’Études Spatiales (ASES), the event has quickly established itself as one of Africa’s most significant gatherings at the intersection of space technology, policy, and development.
This year’s edition arrived with a sharper sense of purpose. Where the first edition planted a flag, the second was intent on building ground.
Looking further ahead, Ms Dieng envisions Senegal Space Week growing into a fully continental platform, one that actively shapes the trajectory of Africa’s space ecosystem rather than simply reflecting it.
She identifies three pillars through which it will do so.
First, by driving integration across the continent, connecting governments, startups, universities, and research centres that too often develop in isolation from one another.
Second, by accelerating the translation of vision into execution, structuring partnerships, aligning policies, mobilising industry, and linking innovation to capital.
Third, by strengthening Africa’s positioning on the global stage, reinforcing the continent’s role not merely as a consumer of space solutions, but as an emerging architect of them.
Future editions, she anticipates, will feature stronger investment and business components, more demonstrations of African-built technologies, expanded policy dialogues, and broader opportunities for women, students, and young professionals.
The ambition is, ultimately, part of a larger movement, one that ASES is helping to lead with considerable intentionality. As Ms Dieng frames it, the goal is nothing less than building Africa’s space sovereignty through partnerships, innovation, and the deliberate cultivation of human capital.
Senegal Space Week, it seems, is only getting started.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2026/06/08/senegal-hosts-its-second-edition-of-space-week-putting-execution-at-the-heart-of-the-agenda/