Salon
Advancing Space Partnerships Between Africa and Europe
Salon: Advancing Space Partnerships Between Africa and Europe
September 25, 2025
bcc, Berlin Congress Center
Space exploration is gaining significance, driven by technological advances, geopolitical shifts, and economic dynamics. In 2024, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs reported almost 2,900 launches into orbit, five times more than in 2019. The European Space Agency (ESA) is working to strengthen its strategic autonomy, while the African Space Agency (AfSA) is expanding infrastructure and technological capacity.
Europe and Africa have the chance to advance together by fostering cooperation, supporting innovation, and contributing to the global space economy. At our Global Perspectives Salon during the Space Congress, hosted by our partner, the Federation of German Industries (BDI), representatives from AfSA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), as well as from politics, business, and academia discussed how space partnerships can be designed to deliver sustainable benefits for both continents on Earth.
Advancing Space Partnerships Between Africa and Europe
BDI Space Congress 2025





Sprecher:innen
In conversation with ...
Contact Persons
Rhoda Berger, r.berger@globalperspectives.org
Supported by
BDI Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie
BDI The Voice of German Industry
Salon
Continuous dialogue creates awareness for the urgent questions of our time. In salons, renowned experts open the discussion with our selected guests from business, politics and society.
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