Leaders of Senegal’s Armed Forces and Agency for Space Studies (ASES) signed a memorandum establishing a strategic cooperation framework between the defense and space sectors.
Leaders called the deal historic and said it is part of a trend on the continent of increasing collaboration between militaries and space agencies as countries recognize the importance of satellite technology for surveillance, secure communications and national security.
“We are taking a decisive step for the future today,” Senegalese Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Gen. Mbaye Cissé said at the June 2025 signing. “This memorandum is of major strategic significance.”
Established in 2023, the ASES has grand ambitions. Senegalese engineers and technicians built the country’s first satellite, the Gaindesat-1A, in collaboration with France’s University Space Centre of Montpellier. The satellite was launched into orbit in 2024. The agency plans to launch five to seven satellites starting in 2028 and hopes to create a “Senegal Space Valley” as a hub for innovation.
“By creating ASES, the State of Senegal has a clear ambition: to make the space sector a cross-cutting lever to impact all areas, and security as a priority,” said Maram Kaïré, director-general of ASES. “This partnership will stimulate innovation, strengthen our sovereignty and build the skills of tomorrow.”
The five-year defense sector agreement will receive technical support from Prométhée Earth Intelligence, a company that provides high-resolution, nearly real-time images of Earth.
Senegal is not alone in pairing the work of its defense and space sectors. Nigeria has created the Defence Space Administration to support national security through satellite use. Egypt launched a satellite known as TIBA-1 for military communication.