ASPEX 2026 — Africa Space Expo

About ASPEX 2026

ASPEX 2026 is a three-day space business expo designed to turn African policy priorities and technical capability into projects, partnerships and usable services. It runs from 24 to 26 September at Abidjan Exhibition Park, Palais d’Akwa. The event is a joint initiative of the African Union and Côte d’Ivoire’s government, implemented through the African Space Agency and Côte d’Ivoire Space Agency, with Eburnie Space Foundation leading operational delivery.

The format combines an exhibition, conference, project labs, business meetings, startup pitching, a hackathon and public activities. Project Labs focus on co-designing initiatives and assembling pilots. The Business Arena supports scheduled business-to-business, business-to-government and government-to-government conversations, while the Solutions Showcase connects technology with African use cases. Talent formats include mentoring, careers, women’s participation and the Ivoire Space Hack. This distinguishes ASPEX from a conventional trade show: its aim is to connect satellite services and space technology with economic and social priorities across the continent. Participants should select the correct registration route because delegates, exhibitors, investors, startups, young talent and visitors may have different requirements. The official programme controls session timing and restricted meetings.

Event history and organisers

ASPEX is a developing continental platform rather than a long-established annual series. The official 2026 site presents the event as an African Union and Côte d’Ivoire initiative intended to support practical growth of the African space economy. It identifies the African Space Agency and Côte d’Ivoire Space Agency as co-organisers and Eburnie Space Foundation as lead for operational delivery. That distinction matters because the initiative, institutional ownership and on-site execution are shared rather than belonging to one organisation. The 2026 edition builds on the event identity launched in 2024 while expanding the emphasis on project assembly, investment, procurement and talent. Abidjan provides the host setting, and the Exhibition Park is the verified venue. Partner ministries support the Ivorian institutional framework, but their involvement should not be converted into unsupported claims about individual programme ownership. Current registration and programme pages control the final formats, eligibility and schedules; earlier announcements provide lineage only and should not be used to infer confirmed participants.

Topics and themes

ASPEX frames space capability through the needs it can serve across African economies and communities. Its programme links public priorities with technology, finance, entrepreneurship and skills.

• Operational applications: Earth observation, communications and navigation are considered through agriculture, climate, infrastructure, transport and public-service use cases.
• Projects and procurement: labs and government meetings help define problems, assemble pilots and connect institutional demand with capable delivery partners.
• Business and investment: companies, buyers and funders can examine partnerships, market entry and financing for African space products or services.
• Startups and innovation: pitching, acceleration and the Ivoire Space Hack create distinct routes for early-stage ventures and technical teams.
• Talent and inclusion: mentoring, career awareness, youth activity and women’s leadership are treated as part of building sustainable continental capability.

Who should attend?

ASPEX is relevant to African governments, space agencies and public bodies seeking practical satellite services or regional partnerships. Space companies, local technology providers and systems integrators can use the exhibition and Business Arena to connect capabilities with public or commercial requirements. Investors, banks and development organisations may find projects, startups and infrastructure opportunities aligned with continental priorities. Founders and researchers have dedicated innovation, pitching and project-lab routes rather than general delegate access. Universities, students and young professionals can engage through talent, mentoring and hackathon formats where eligible. Public visitors may find application showcases and awareness activities useful, but access should be checked for the relevant day and programme area. International participants should approach the event as an African-led platform and prepare around locally defined needs rather than generic export promotion.

Practical information

ASPEX runs from 24 to 26 September at Abidjan Exhibition Park, Palais d’Akwa. The official site publishes separate registration options for several participant categories.

Confirm the correct category eligibility, programme access, scheduled business meetings, exhibition arrangements and local transport. International visitors should also check entry documentation, accommodation, local currency, communications and any available organiser support before travel.