The official launch ceremony of the SPACEBUS 2025 National Caravan was presided over this afternoon by His Excellency the President of the Republic at the esplanade of the Grand Théâtre Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose.
Under the theme "Space, a lever for sustainable development," this second edition brought together members of the government, institutional, technical, and financial partners, as well as students and pupils from invited institutions. In a speech marked by vision and optimism, President Faye emphasized the strategic importance of the space sector for sustainable development and the future of Senegalese youth.
The President opened his address by warmly congratulating Mr. Maram Kairé, Director General of the Senegalese Space Studies Agency (ASES), as well as international partners, notably the French Embassy and Luxembourg cooperation, for their commitment. He also welcomed the presence of experts from France, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Slovakia, and Togo, seeing in this diversity a symbol of solidarity and a shared desire to build an innovative future for Africa.
The President of the Republic underscored that space exploration is not merely a quest for conquest but a response to contemporary challenges. "Space technologies have the potential to sustainably transform our territories," he affirmed, highlighting their role in key sectors such as land planning, agriculture, fisheries, health, security, and the blue economy.
The Head of State traced the milestones that have positioned Senegal as an emerging space nation, from the 1998 National Geomatics Plan to the creation of ASES. He highlighted the successful launch of Senegal’s first nanosatellite in August 2024, a feat marking a decisive step forward. To accelerate this momentum, he announced several strategic projects: a microsatellite assembly, integration, and testing center (MAIT), satellite data reception centers, an incubator for space startups, a space monitoring station in Kédougou, an observatory in Khombole, and an aeronautics and space museum. According to him, these infrastructures will provide young people with training, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities while enhancing Senegal’s appeal to investors.
The President also stressed the economic stakes of the space sector, with its global market projected to exceed $737 billion in the next decade. "Space represents a fourth revolution after industry, electronics, and digital technology," he stated, emphasizing its strategic role in managing natural resources, security, transitioning to smart agriculture, telemedicine, and weather forecasting.
One of the key messages of his speech was a passionate call to Senegalese youth. President Faye deplored the low interest in scientific fields, with only 16.5% of baccalaureate candidates enrolled in these disciplines. "Without science or technology, it is impossible to address the challenges of employment, food sovereignty, health, or digitalization," he insisted. To reverse this trend, he announced concrete measures: diversifying educational pathways, creating tailored teaching tools, promoting a scientific culture, and providing adequate equipment. "We want to align our training programs with the real needs of the economy and give our youth the means to build their future in Senegal," he added.
Addressing the students and pupils present directly, he concluded with an inspiring message: "You are the greatest wealth of our nation. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and creativity are the driving forces behind a sovereign, just, and prosperous Senegal."
BELOW IS THE SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC ON THE OCCASION OF THE SECOND EDITION OF THE SPACEBUS 2025 NATIONAL SPACE CARAVAN
Mr. Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Government,
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Ambassadors,
Mr. Director General of the Senegalese Space Studies Agency,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Experts,
Dear Students, Dear Pupils,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great enthusiasm that I preside today over the launch of the National Space Caravan, SPACEBUS 2025. I warmly congratulate Mr. Maram Kairé, Director General of the Senegalese Space Studies Agency, as well as all the actors and partners of our space ecosystem—notably the Embassy of the French Republic and Luxembourg cooperation—whose commitment and support have made this second edition possible.
I extend a warm welcome to the experts from France, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Slovakia, and Togo. Your presence bears witness to the solidarity and shared will to build an innovative future for Senegal and Africa. The chosen theme, "Space, a lever for sustainable development," underscores the importance of space technologies in economic and social progress and their potential to sustainably transform our territories.
The Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky once said: "The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one does not spend one’s entire life in a cradle." This visionary reflection reminds us that the exploration and exploitation of space are not just about conquest but also about finding solutions to the challenges of our modern world.
In Senegal, our commitment to space rests on solid foundations, from the National Geomatics Plan launched in 1998 to the establishment of the Interinstitutional Geomatics Coordination and Consultation Group (GICC). These milestones led to the creation of the Senegalese Space Studies Agency (ASES), whose initiatives strengthen the role of satellite data in key areas: land planning, agriculture, fisheries, education, training, health, security, the blue economy, industry, and technological innovation. I am delighted by the perfect alignment of these actions with our Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda, focused on developing quality human capital, promoting science and innovation, and reinforcing our sovereignty.
One of the major objectives of this Caravan is to inspire vocations among young people by promoting scientific and technical fields. Today, only 16.5% of baccalaureate candidates are enrolled in scientific streams—a figure significantly lower than in the past. Yet history shows that education and training are at the heart of development: without science, without technology, it is impossible to meet the challenges of employment, food sovereignty, health, or digitalization.
This is why the government supports all initiatives aimed at enhancing the appeal of science: diversifying educational pathways, creating tailored teaching tools, promoting a scientific culture, and providing adequate equipment. We are convinced that these efforts will align our training programs with the real needs of the economy and empower our youth to build their future in Senegal.
Senegal is resolutely advancing toward its ambition of becoming a spacefaring nation. Following the successful launch of our first nanosatellite in August 2024, I have instructed ASES to accelerate the implementation of its roadmap. Several strategic infrastructures are under construction or in the planning stages: a microsatellite assembly, integration, and testing center (MAIT), ground-based satellite data reception centers, an incubator and technological innovation hub for space startups, a space monitoring station in Kédougou, an observatory equipped with a large telescope in Khombole, and an aeronautics and space museum. These achievements offer young people opportunities to train, work, and innovate locally in the space sector. They will also serve as a hub of attraction for public and private sectors, both national and international, creating jobs and supporting our economy’s competitiveness.
The global space market is expected to surpass $737 billion in the next decade. Beyond the economic stakes, the space sector is highly strategic: it represents a fourth revolution following industry, electronics, and digital technology. By investing in space, we equip ourselves with tools to better manage our natural resources, enhance security, support the transition to smart agriculture and fisheries, develop telemedicine, improve weather forecasting and climate studies, and foster innovation and the creation of high-tech enterprises. Aware of these stakes, the government will steadfastly support the efforts of ASES and GICC so that Senegal and all of Africa can fully seize the opportunities offered by the space sector.
Dear students, dear pupils, you are the greatest wealth of our Nation. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and creativity are the driving forces behind building a Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Senegal. Never forget that success demands dreams, ambition, and unwavering determination. A lack of resources is not a barrier—on the contrary, it is the best spur to dare to innovate and break through obstacles.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with pride and optimism that I officially declare the second edition of the Space Caravan, SPACEBUS 2025, open.
Thank you for your kind attention.