The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) has endorsed the transition of the GMES and Africa Programme to the African Space Agency (AfSA), signalling a new era for Africa’s unified and sustainable space agenda.
The announcement was made by the president of the African Space Council, Dr. Tidiane Ouattara and is seen as a strategic move by the African Union Commission to consolidate space-related initiatives under one continental authority.
The transition is expected to enhance coordination, ensure long-term sustainability and amplify Africa’s voice in global space and Earth observation activities.
“As a proud implementing partner of the GMES and Africa Programme, SASSCAL reaffirms its full commitment to this new phase under AfSA’s leadership,” said the executive director of SASSCAL, Prof. Nelago Indongo.
Through its WeMAST initiative (the Wetland Monitoring and Assessment System for Transboundary Basins) SASSCAL has utilised Earth Observation (EO) technologies to support evidence-based decision-making in managing Southern Africa’s wetland ecosystems. The programme has strengthened regional governance in water, land use and environmental sustainability.
“With this transition, we look forward to deeper collaboration, more streamlined coordination and greater visibility under the African Space Agency,” Indongo added.
Moving forward, all branding, communication, and stakeholder engagement related to the GMES and Africa Programme will reflect the AfSA identity in line with its institutional framework.
SASSCAL also expressed appreciation to the GMES and Africa coordination team for their continued support and pledged to uphold the programme’s core objectives under AfSA’s stewardship.
The handover marks a significant milestone in Africa’s journey to harness space science for climate resilience, environmental monitoring and sustainable development across the continent.
