Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group (HKATG) + Government of Djibouti · Obock Region, Djibouti, Djibouti
Launch Pads
—
Annual Launches
0 (under construction)
Max Payload (LEO)
—
Established
2023
Djibouti and Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group (HKATG) signed a memorandum of understanding in January 2023 to develop a $1B+ commercial spaceport on the Obock peninsula in northern Djibouti. The near-equatorial location (~12°N) offers a significant GEO injection bonus over higher-latitude sites and a clear eastward overwater trajectory across the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. If realized on schedule, the site would become continental Africa's first orbital launch facility (San Marco was offshore Kenya but operated by Italy). The project faces political headwinds: the United States, France, and other powers operating military bases in Djibouti have expressed concern over the PRC-linked sponsor entity, and HKATG's commercial track record on the launch vehicle side is unproven.
| Region | Africa |
| Country | 🇩🇯 Djibouti |
| Coordinates | 11.9600° N, 43.2837° E |
| Ownership | International Consortium |
| Parent Entity | Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group + Republic of Djibouti |
| Regulatory Regime | Djibouti national authority (regulatory framework under development); subject to international scrutiny via Wassenaar Arrangement and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) given PRC-linked sponsor |
| Latitude Advantage | 11.96°N — strong GEO bonus (~13% extra payload vs. Cape Canaveral 28.5°N) and only marginally inferior to Kourou's 5.2°N |
| Azimuth Range | ~70°-110° eastward (overwater across Gulf of Aden / Indian Ocean) achievable |
Active Users
Strategic Value
If realized, would be Africa's first orbital site and a near-equatorial alternative to Kourou for commercial operators outside the ESA/Arianespace orbit. Speculative until ground is broken and political risks resolve.
Recent Activity
Jan 2023 MoU signed; ground-breaking and detailed engineering still pending as of mid-2026; multiple Western governments have expressed concern over PRC-linked sponsor.
2027
First major construction milestone (target per 2023 MoU)
2029
Targeted first orbital launch attempt (subject to slip)