The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) took a significant step toward enhancing international cooperation in space technology by hosting a Japanese delegation on January 23, 2025. The delegation, led by Mr. Suzuki Yusuke, Economic Advisor at the Embassy of Japan in Egypt, was welcomed by Dr. Sherif Sedky, CEO of EgSA. The visit underscored the shared commitment of both nations to advancing space exploration and innovation.
Accompanied by Mr. Kawashima Shizuki, Second Secretary at the Japanese Embassy, and Ms. Minas Ahmed, Senior Economic Analyst, the delegation engaged with EgSA’s senior management to discuss strategies for collaboration in space technology. Discussions focused on knowledge exchange and joint initiatives to achieve common objectives.
The visit also included a tour of EgSA’s key facilities, such as the MisrSat-2 satellite control and image reception station. The delegation explored the Assembly, Integration, and Testing Centre (AITC), a cornerstone of EgSA’s satellite development capabilities.
According to Dr. Sedky, the AITC is set to become fully operational by March 2025 and is on track to receive AS 9100 accreditation, establishing it as a critical hub for African and global satellite manufacturing.
The visit builds upon a strong foundation of Egypt-Japan partnerships in space. In March 2021, EgSA signed an agreement with the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (EJUST) to develop an educational satellite model.
This collaboration aimed to foster innovation and research, leveraging Japan’s advanced satellite industry expertise and EgSA’s growing capabilities.
Additionally, Egypt has partnered with the University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC) of Japan to promote cooperative projects and capacity-building through exchange programs for researchers and students. This partnership highlights both nations’ commitment to nurturing the human resources essential for space sector growth.
While Japan is a key partner, Egypt has also cultivated collaborations with other nations, particularly China, in satellite manufacturing and Earth observation. These partnerships reflect EgSA’s strategy to position Egypt as a leader in space innovation within Africa and globally.
As Egypt continues to invest in bilateral and international space cooperation, the collaboration with Japan underscores the nation’s dedication to advancing space science and technology. This commitment aligns with Egypt’s broader vision of leveraging space exploration to address critical challenges and contribute to global scientific progress.
