Côte d’Ivoire is launching its national space program through the creation of the Agence Spatiale de Côte d'Ivoire, with a strong focus on training experts and developing nanosatellite technology.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Adama Diawara, met with a delegation from the University of Montpellier Space Center, led by Laurent Dusseau, to strengthen cooperation in space science and engineering.

The partnership aims to train the first generation of Ivorian space specialists and support the construction of Côte d’Ivoire’s first nanosatellites. The ASCI, created by decree in 2025 and based at INP-HB in Yamoussoukro, has already begun training activities as a first step toward satellite development.

The University of Montpellier Space Center will provide intensive training programs for engineers in areas such as systems engineering and IT applied to space technology. These trained experts will become the core team responsible for building and developing Côte d’Ivoire’s space capabilities, in line with President Alassane Ouattara’s vision of establishing a strong national space agency.