AI Insight
Côte d'Ivoire became the 75th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, joining an international coalition committed to peaceful and transparent space exploration. The signing ceremony took place in Abidjan during Africa Space Expo ASPEX 2026, with Minister Adama Diawara representing the country. The Artemis Accords establish practical principles for lunar and Mars exploration, including peaceful exploration, emergency assistance, scientific data sharing, non-interference, and preservation of historically significant sites.
Why it matters
This expands international cooperation in space exploration and opens opportunities for Côte d'Ivoire's scientists and engineers to participate in lunar missions and future Mars exploration. The country has been collaborating with NASA on Earth observation and geodesy since 2019 and established its own Space Agency in 2025, positioning itself as a growing participant in African space activities.
Understand the Science
Côte d’Ivoire signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday, becoming the 75th signatory and marking a major milestone for this growing coalition. With the signing ceremony in the nation’s largest city, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire joined other like-minded nations and committed to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
“The United States and Côte d’Ivoire already cooperate on Earth,” said NASA’s Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “Today, we expand that partnership beyond it. Joining the Artemis Accords opens new opportunities for our scientists, engineers, and institutions to work together as humanity returns to the Moon and prepares for what comes next. We’ve aligned on the principles. The opportunities are in front of us. And now we can get to work.”
The nation’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Adama Diawara signed on behalf of the country in a ceremony held during Africa Space Expo ASPEX 2026. Chargé d’affaires Junaid Munir from the U.S. Department of State witnessed the ceremony.
“This is a great achievement, and important for Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitions and for the rest of the African Union members,” said Director General of the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire Tidiane Outtara.
Côte d’Ivoire has expanded its involvement in space science and technology through years of international cooperation. Since 2019, the National Office of Technical Development of Côte d’Ivoire and NASA have collaborated on Earth observation and geodesy, a field that measures Earth’s shape, gravity, and movement. Together, the partners have advanced global geodetic networks, improved space‑based measurement techniques, and increased understanding of how Earth’s systems interact.
The country later established the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire in 2025 to coordinate national efforts in Earth observation, space weather, astronomy, satellite navigation, and communications.
In 2020, NASA and the State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. The Artemis Accords are the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing transparency, safety, and coordination among nations as they explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond, committing nations to:
- Explore peaceably and transparently
- Render aid to those in need
- Enable access to scientific data
- Ensure activities do not interfere with those of others
- Preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices
By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of exploration and innovation.
Learn more about the Artemis Accords at:
https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords
Source: NASA Welcomes Côte d’Ivoire as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory