Axelspace Co-Announces the Addis Ababa Declaration for Africa’s Socioeconomic Development

Advancing the Social Implementation of Satellite Data Utilization through Space Business Co-creation

Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), a leading developer and operator of microsatellites dedicated to realizing its vision of “Space within Your Reach,” has announced the Addis Ababa Declaration on space business co-creation and satellite data utilization for sustainable socioeconomic development in Africa. The announcement was made at the Ethiopia–Japan Space Data Utilization Workshop held in Addis Ababa, the capital city of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, on April 17 (local time), in collaboration with the General Incorporated Association Cross U (“Cross U”) of Japan, and Jethi Software Development PLC (“Jethi”), an Ethiopian technology company.

The Declaration presents a concrete implementation of the “co-creation of innovative solutions” established by the Yokohama Declaration at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in August 2025 to promote the social implementation of Japanese Earth observation (EO) data, in cooperation with local partners, to address social challenges in African nations.

■ Key Elements of the Declaration

1. A Decisive Transition to the Implementation Phase

Cooperation in the space sector between Japan and Ethiopia has progressed to a private-sector-led commercial implementation. Pilot projects will be executed focusing on precision agriculture and sustainable and responsible mineral resource management.

2. Empowerment of Local Ecosystems and Respect for Data Sovereignty

Led by Jethi, a domestic platform will be developed to ensure that satellite data is translated into actionable, context-specific intelligence aligned with Ethiopia’s societal and institutional needs, while fostering the growth of autonomous local space-related industries.

3. Establishment and Propagation of a Pan-African Reference Architecture

The public-private collaborative framework established in Ethiopia will serve as a reference model and be expanded to other African countries. It will also be applied to fields such as climate resilience, disaster risk management, and urban planning, contributing to economic growth and technological self-reliance across the region.

4. Commitment to Continuous Dialogue and Global Progress Reporting

The Declaration will be further showcased at the NewSpace Africa Conference 2026 in Gabon, starting April 20 (local time), and its progress will be formally reported to the global community at the space business event “NIHONBASHI SPACE WEEK 2026” in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, starting November 30.

The full text of the Declaration is available at:
THE ADDIS ABABA DECLARATION ON SPACE BUSINESS CO-CREATION AND SATELLITE DATA UTILIZATION

Axelspace positions the expansion of EO data utilization in emerging markets, including African nations, as a key medium- to long-term business strategy. In January 2026, it signed an MoU with Jethi regarding cooperation on utilizing satellite data to address social challenges. In March, a joint proposal “Establishing a Methodology to Tackle Social Challenges in Africa through a Japan-Originated Common Platform for Satellite Data Utilization,” submitted with Cross U and others was selected under the JAXA Space Strategy Fund (Phase 2) for the theme “Implementation of Satellite Data Utilization System.”

Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace Corporation, commented:
“We view this Declaration as the embodiment of a new co-creation model for satellite data utilization. Leveraging the foundation we have developed, and working together with local partners who bring deep understanding of local needs and stakeholder coordination, we will transform satellite data into actionable intelligence for decision-making and build mechanisms that directly contribute to solving societal challenges. Through this initiative, we aim to establish Ethiopia as a role model and scale this approach across Africa and other emerging regions, creating a sustainable and scalable model.”

For further information, please visit:
Axelspace Participates in Consortium Led by Cross U Selected for Japan’s Space Strategy Fund Project on “Implementation of Satellite Data Utilization System”
Japanese Space Business Initiative Targets Social Challenges in African Nations: Axelspace and Three Organizations Establish Co-Creation Consortium
Axelspace Signs MoU with Ethiopian Company to Address Social Challenges through the Utilization of Satellite Data
Axelspace Signs MoUs with Two African Organizations to Address Social Challenges through the Utilization of Satellite Data
＜CEO interview＞ New Market of EO data which will be created with emerging countries(Japanese only)

About Axelspace
Guided by its vision—“Space within Your Reach”—Axelspace has been at the forefront of microsatellite innovation since its founding in 2008. Leveraging cutting-edge expertise in microsatellite design, manufacturing, and on-orbit operations, the company is redefining how people and industries access space. Its flagship businesses, AxelLiner, which provides satellite development and operation services to help customers realize their space missions, and AxelGlobe, which delivers Earth observation data through Axelspace’s proprietary optical satellite constellation, are driving a new era of space utilization. Through these initiatives, Axelspace is shaping a future where space is accessible and within reach for everyone.

Axelspace Corporation
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
President and CEO: Yuya Nakamura
Founded: August 2008
https://www.axelspace.com/