Gabon and China Sign Ambitious MoU to Boost Earth Observation Capabilities
The Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations (AGEOS) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Centre (LASAC) of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, which aims at advancing Gabon’s Earth observation capabilities. The agreement was formalised during the China-Africa Cooperation Centre on Satellite Remote Sensing Application (CACSA) Week 2025, held from October 20-24, 2025, in Deqing, China.
Under this partnership, Gabon will receive daily access to very high-resolution satellite imagery (2 to 5 meters), a game-changing resource that will significantly enhance the nation’s capabilities in territorial surveillance, environmental stewardship, and sustainable economic planning.
The CACSA Week 2025 served as a pivotal platform where African and Chinese space sector institutions convened to explore cutting-edge remote sensing solutions designed to advance sustainable development across the continent.
Leading the Gabonese delegation, Mr Aboubakar Mambimba Ndjoungui, Director General of AGEOS, showcased a range of practical satellite observation applications, including:
1. Tracking sustainable urban expansion and environmental quality
2. Monitoring water resources, optimising land use, and assessing the effectiveness of public policies
3. Strengthening disaster risk preparedness and response
4. And additional strategic initiatives
A Strategic Step in Gabon’s Space Journey
This collaboration with China represents more than a technical agreement; it is a cornerstone of Gabon’s broader vision to establish itself as a regional leader in space technology. The timing is particularly significant as the country prepares to host the NewSpace Conference 2026 (NSC 2026), Africa’s premier space industry gathering, in partnership with the African Space Agency (AfSA) and Space in Africa (SiA).
AGEOS has long prioritised Earth observation as a foundational element of its national space programme, with key focus areas including forest monitoring and tracking urban dynamics. These commitments have materialised through active participation in the GMES and Africa Programme and a recent collaboration with Chad centred on shared Earth observation data for environmental monitoring and climate adaptation.
This new partnership with China directly reinforces these ambitions, providing Gabon with the high-resolution data infrastructure needed to translate strategic vision into operational reality, and deepening Sino-African cooperation in space technology for sustainable development and scientific autonomy.
JavaScript code. If you're inserting HTML or JS code make sure editor is switched to 'Text' mode.
