• Angola has launched the ANGEO-1 Earth observation satellite project with an estimated cost of $259 million.

• Airbus Defence and Space is developing the satellite in partnership with Angolan authorities.

• The satellite will deliver more than 1,000 high-resolution images per day to support economic planning, resource management and security.

The government of Angola has officially launched the construction and deployment of its first Earth observation satellite, ANGEO-1.

Authorities initiated the project on Monday, March 16, with an estimated cost of €225 million ($259 million). Airbus Defence and Space is developing the satellite under a partnership agreement.

Officials launched the works at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Toulouse. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira said the satellite will strengthen Angola’s sovereign access to critical data.

The satellite will provide more than 1,000 high-resolution images per day, according to a statement from the GGPEN, which participated in the delegation.

“This capacity will be essential to support economic development, sustainable management of natural resources and national security, strengthening the country’s ability to design public policies and make strategic decisions based on concrete data,” the statement said.

The project forms part of Angola’s broader National Space Program. Authorities aim to transform Angola from a user of space services into a producer and operator of space technologies. They also aim to secure technological independence in the sector.

In addition to telecommunications, the program includes an Earth observation component focused on environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, natural resource management and disaster prevention.

João Lourenço announced the creation of the Angolan Space Agency in October 2025 to support these ambitions.

The government also outlined plans in its “ICT White Paper 2023–2027” to establish a space studies center, train national experts and develop infrastructure in communications, navigation and meteorology.

Angola has already expanded its presence in the space sector. The country operates AngoSat-2, which supports telecommunications coverage across the national territory. Authorities now aim to complement this capability with Earth observation infrastructure to broaden the country’s space-based services.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum