The Côte d'Ivoire has become the 75th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a landmark international framework aimed at promoting peaceful, responsible, and sustainable exploration and use of space. According to a statement released by the US Department of State on September 30, 2026, the West African nation joined the accords on September 24, 2026, in Abidjan. The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the first Africa Space Expo, a premier event dedicated to the space sector in Côte d'Ivoire.
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries to set out principles for the exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes. The accords aim to promote cooperation, transparency, and accountability in space activities, and to ensure that space exploration is conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner. By signing the accords, Côte d'Ivoire has reaffirmed its commitment to these principles and has joined a growing list of countries committed to responsible space exploration.
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Adama Diawara, signed the accords on behalf of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. The US Chargé d'Affaires in Côte d'Ivoire, Junaid Munir, attended the ceremony and welcomed Côte d'Ivoire's accession to the accords. The US Department of State noted that Côte d'Ivoire's participation in the accords reflects the strengthening of cooperation between the US and Côte d'Ivoire in the space sector.
Côte d'Ivoire's participation in the Artemis Accords is also seen as a significant step in the country's development of its space capabilities. In 2025, Côte d'Ivoire participated in a US-Africa technical and regulatory training session on space-related issues. The country has also established the Côte d'Ivoire Space Agency (ASCI), which is expected to play a key role in promoting the country's space interests.
The Artemis Accords have been endorsed by a growing list of countries, including the United States, and 73 other nations that have already signed the accords. The implementation of the accords is overseen jointly by the US Department of State and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The accords establish a set of principles for responsible space exploration, including the protection of the space environment and the promotion of transparency and accountability.
The Africa Space Expo, where the signing ceremony took place, is a premier event dedicated to the space sector in Africa. The expo aims to promote cooperation and collaboration in the space sector, and to showcase the latest developments and innovations in space technology. The event, with the United States as the guest of honor, brought together experts and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the future of space exploration in Africa.
The Côte d'Ivoire's accession to the Artemis Accords is seen as a significant milestone in the country's space ambitions. The country is expected to play an increasingly important role in the African space community, and its participation in the accords reflects its commitment to responsible and sustainable space exploration. With this development, Côte d'Ivoire is poised to contribute to the growth of a vibrant and dynamic space sector in Africa.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire becomes the 75th country to sign the Artemis Accords
- The Artemis Accords aim to promote peaceful, responsible, and sustainable space exploration
- Côte d'Ivoire's participation in the accords reflects growing cooperation with the US in the space sector
