Kenya has become the first African country to host the Elevate African drone summit in a bid to tap into the lucrative global drone market.
The two-day event gathered over 500 participants from 21 countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, and Nigeria, to discuss the future of drone technology across the continent.
Experts project the global Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) market to reach $43 billion (Sh5.5 trillion) by 2025.
Director of Air Navigation Services at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Anne Gitau, emphasized Kenya’s leadership in the drone ecosystem and the KCAA’s role in implementing a regulatory framework that ensures safety and compliance.
“Africa is poised to be a vital player in this growth, with Kenya at the forefront,” Gitau stated.
The summit featured a Women in Drones panel addressing gender disparities and a Youth Empowerment initiative involving over 150 students from various institutions.
Konza Technopolis hosted live drone demos showcasing modern drones’ capabilities.
Senator Tabitha Munene highlighted successful drone applications in medical deliveries and agriculture, supported by the government’s National Drones Strategy.
“From delivering medical supplies in remote areas to enhancing agricultural productivity, drones are significantly impacting our society. The government’s National Drones Strategy provides a clear roadmap for integrating drone technology across various sectors and supports drone startups and research initiatives, focusing on empowering youth and women,” said Munene.
The summit also addressed the impact of drones on wildlife protection and revolutionized mapping and surveying, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in geospatial data collection.
In agriculture, drones are innovating precision farming, increasing yields, and reducing costs.
According to Mr Cleopa Otieno, CEO Kenya Flying Labs, “Drones equipped with advanced sensors have proved to be innovative tools in disaster management and response providing aerial advantage to conduct rapid aerial surveys capturing real-time imagery to assess for first response and situational awareness.”
Kenya Flying Labs CEO Cleopa Otieno, said that drones’ role in disaster management, providing real-time imagery for rapid response. The summit underscored drones’ impact on wildlife protection, mapping, surveying, and precision farming.
“Konza Technopolis is excited to lead this technological revolution, driving initiatives like the development of a drone corridor licensed by KCAA. This event underscores our commitment to creating a smarter, more connected future through innovative technology solutions,” said CEO of Konza Technopolis John Paul Okwiri
In her remarks, Aviation professional and Elevate Africa UAS Summit Ambassador, Captain Mercy Makau encouraged collective vision and commitment to drive positive change.
