According to a statement by the parliament, the agreement signed on 24 January aims to implement African policies and strategies in space, utilizing space technologies to accelerate economic and sustainable development processes.

The statement added that the agreement will also play a significant role in boosting Egypt's national economy by energizing small industries relating to space technology.

The statement also noted that the satellite data collected by the African Space Agency can help achieve the sustainable development goals and Africa's Agenda 2063.

To infinity and beyond 

Founded by the African Union in 2016, AfSA aims to promote, advise, and coordinate the development and use of space science and technology in Africa, fostering cooperation within Africa and beyond for the benefit of Africa and the world.

In February 2019, Egypt won the bid to host the African Space Agency and allocated $10 million for its operations.

According to Islam Abo El-Magd, advisor for African affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, hosting the agency will establish Egypt as a leading country in the field among the 55 member states of the AU, as he told Al-Ahram.