Senegal’s space agency has signed an agreement with Axiom Space, a US company building the world’s first commercial space station, to work together on space research and astronaut training.

The deal will help Senegal grow its space programme by giving local scientists and engineers access to Axiom’s knowledge in human spaceflight and microgravity research. It also aims to inspire young people in Senegal to study science and technology.

Senegal has recently made major progress in space exploration. The country’s first satellite was launched in 2024 and it became the 56th nation to join the Artemis Accords in 2025, which promote peaceful and co-operative space exploration.

Axiom Space’s Anand Subramanian said Senegal’s achievements show: “ambition and vision,” while Senegal’s space chief Maram Kaire called the deal: “a big step toward human spaceflight and new research opportunities.”