Côte d’Ivoire has signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the ninth African nation and the 75th country globally to join the U.S.-led framework for the peaceful and transparent exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, signed the agreement on September 24, 2026, in Abidjan during the Africa Space Expo (ASPEX 2026), with U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Junaid Munir witnessing the event on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
African Participation Expands in 2026
The addition of Côte d’Ivoire marks the fifth African nation to sign the Artemis Accords in 2026, building on a wave of continental engagement that includes Morocco in April, Botswana in June, Mauritius in July, and Djibouti in September. Nigeria and Rwanda initially signed the framework in December 2022, followed by Angola in November 2023 and Senegal in July 2025. African signatories now comprise approximately 12 percent of the 75 total nations participating in the coalition. H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, Director General of the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire (ASCI), noted that the milestone is a major achievement for both national ambitions and the wider African Union members.
Deepening Technical Ties Between NASA and Côte d’Ivoire
The formal signing transitions an existing technical partnership into a binding commitment to the core tenets of the Artemis Accords, which include peaceful exploration, transparency, emergency assistance, open sharing of scientific data, avoiding harmful interference, and preserving historic sites in space. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson emphasized that the agreement expands cooperative efforts beyond Earth, opening new avenues for scientists, engineers, and institutions. NASA and Côte d’Ivoire have collaborated since 2019 on Earth observation and geodesy—the scientific measurement of Earth’s shape, gravity, and movement—through work pairing the National Office of Technical Development of Côte d’Ivoire with U.S. programs. That groundwork preceded the establishment of the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire in 2025, an agency built to coordinate domestic efforts in satellite communications, space weather, astronomy, and navigation.
Foundational Principles of the Artemis Accords
Established in 2020 by NASA, the U.S. Department of State, and seven founding international partners, the Artemis Accords provide practical guidance for governments managing increased civilian and commercial lunar traffic. Signatories pledge to conduct all activities for peaceful purposes, publicly release scientific data to benefit the global research community, render emergency assistance to personnel in distress, and protect historic landing sites and artifacts on celestial bodies. By hosting the signing ceremony at ASPEX 2026, Côte d’Ivoire positioned itself as an emerging convening hub for the African space sector.
Côte d’Ivoire signs Artemis Accords and establishes ASCI
When did Côte d’Ivoire sign the Artemis Accords?
Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, signed the Accords on September 24, 2026, during the Africa Space Expo in Abidjan.
How many African countries have signed the Artemis Accords?
Côte d’Ivoire is the ninth African nation to join the framework, following Djibouti, which signed earlier in September 2026.
What is the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire?
Established in 2025, ASCI coordinates national initiatives in Earth observation, space weather, satellite communications, astronomy, and navigation.
Which U.S. official witnessed the signing ceremony in Abidjan?
Junaid Munir, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy, witnessed the signing on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
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