Ivory Coast Becomes 75th Signatory to Artemis Accords

Ivory Coast signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday, becoming the 75th signatory during a ceremony in Abidjan, the country’s largest city. The milestone strengthens the United Nations coalition of like-minded countries committed to peaceful and responsible space exploration.

“The United States and Ivory Coast are already working together on Earth,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “Today, we expand beyond that partnership. Joining the Artemis Accords opens new opportunities for scientists, engineers, and institutions to collaborate as we return humans to the Moon and prepare for what comes next. We have aligned on principles. The opportunity is before us, and now we can get to work.”

Ivory Coast Signs Artemis Accords at ASPEX 2026

Ivory Coast Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Adama Diawara signed the agreement on behalf of the country at a ceremony held during the ASPEX 2026 African Space Expo. Junaid Munir, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. State Department, witnessed the signing.

“This is a great achievement and is important for Ivory Coast’s ambitions and for other African Union member states,” said Tidian Outara, Director General of the Ivorian Space Agency.

Ivory Coast Expands Space Science Cooperation

Ivory Coast has expanded its involvement in space science and technology through years of international cooperation. Since 2019, Ivory Coast’s National Agency for Technology Development and NASA have collaborated in Earth observation and geodesy, the fields that measure Earth’s shape, gravity, and motion.

Through this cooperation, partners have advanced global geodetic networks, improved space-based measurement techniques, and deepened understanding of how the Earth system interacts.

In 2025, Ivory Coast established the Ivory Coast Space Agency to coordinate national efforts in Earth observation, space weather, astronomy, satellite navigation, and communications.

What Are the Artemis Accords?

In 2020, NASA and the U.S. State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords in response to growing interest in lunar activities by governments and private industry.

The Artemis Accords outline practical principles designed to increase transparency, safety, and coordination among countries exploring the Moon, Mars, and other destinations. Signatories commit to:

• Exploring peacefully and transparently
• Delivering aid to those in need
• Enabling access to scientific data
• Avoiding interference with the activities of others
• Developing best practices to preserve historically significant sites and artifacts

Ivory Coast’s Role in Future Lunar Exploration

By signing the Artemis Accords, Ivory Coast opens the door to future lunar exploration opportunities with NASA. The agreement supports humanity’s return to the Moon while helping shape a new era of exploration and innovation.

For more information on the Artemis Accords, please see below.