“Globally, the UAS market is projected to reach $43 billion by 2025, with Africa poised to become a vital player and Kenya at the forefront of embracing new drone technologies.”
28 – 29 June 2024, Nairobi & Konza Technopolis – African drones are set to take off in a big way, with Kenya leading the charge in the drone revolution. With a global Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) market size projected to reach $43 billion by next year, the Elevate Africa UAS Summit 2024, brought together local and international industry players, next-generation drone pilots, and enthusiasts to discuss the future trajectory of UAS technology across the continent.
With 500+ participants from 21 countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, and Nigeria, the summit highlighted the continent’s diverse and dynamic drone landscape.
Key discussions explored the transformative potential of drones in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and logistics. Prominent speakers, including figures from the KCAA, industry experts, and government officials who shared their insights on drone regulation and technology in Africa.
A phenomenal highlight of the Summit was the Women in Drones panel, which championed equity and inclusivity, addressing gender disparities and emphasizing the critical role of women in advancing drone technology across Africa.
On Day 2 at Konza Technopolis, over 150 students from Kenyatta University, Alliance High School, and East Africa School of Aviation participated in the ‘Drone Zone’ hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshop. These enthusiastic and insightful youth attendees, who represented the future workforce, brought unique energy to the conference, as they proactively engaged industry with meaningful questions about drone-operations.Director, KCAA Air Navigation Services, Anne Gitau, speaking on behalf of the Director General of Civil Aviation Authority, said, “Kenya has positioned itself as a leader in the drone ecosystem and KCAA has
played a crucial role in implementing regulatory framework ensuring safety and regulatory compliance to be an enabler, not an impediment, dedicated to supporting the growth of the drone industry.
“Globally the UAS market is projected to grow exponentially, with estimates suggesting that it could reach a market size of $43 billion by 2025. Africa is poised to be a vital player in this growth and Kenya in particular is at the forefront of embracing these new technologies,” said Gitau.
Chief Guest Senator Tabitha Munene highlighted the success stories emerging from Kenya’s drone ecosystem, “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.”
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.”
Eno Umoh, Chairman of the African Drone Forum,emphasized the event’s significance. “The African Drone Forum is the largest network of drone professionals on the continent. This summit demonstrates that Africa’s drone ecosystems are empowered and innovative, creating opportunities for the next generation. Notable examples of drone impact in Africa include Rwanda’s reduced delivery times for medical supplies and Ghana’s use of drones to monitor cocoa plantations. ”
As a leading technology hub, Konza Technopolis played a pivotal role in partnering with Elevate Africa UAS Summit by hosting live drone flying demos that showcased the innovative capabilities of modern drones and their practical applications.
John Paul Okwiri,CEO of Konza Technopolis, affirmed Konza’s dedication to innovation in the drone sector. “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.”
In her remarks, Aviation professional and Elevate Africa UAS Summit Ambassador, Captain Mercy Makau encouraged collective vision and commitment to drive positive change. “As an aviator with a passion for mobilizing youth towards innovation in aviation, I believe our collective vision and commitment to positive change will elevate Africa. By harnessing the power of drones, we can create a brighter, sustainable future. ‘Flying Forward Together,’ we can achieve extraordinary outcomes.“
Despite uncertainty in the city center due to the Kenya Finance Bill protests, the resilience of the attendees was remarkable, with official numbers reaching over 500.
“In conclusion, the Summit highlighted Kenya’s leadership in the drone industry and recognized its efforts in driving innovation, diversity, and entrepreneurship across the continent. To join the growing African drone community and learn more about drone technology and career opportunities in Kenya, visit the Africa Drone Forum or Kenya Flying Labs,” said conference organizer, Pavan Ananth, Founder & CEO, Pravesh Global.
From Left to Right – German Drones CEO -, Chief Guest – Senator Taitha Mutinda Munene, Konza Technopolis CEO – John Paul Okwiri and German Drones representative go through how the Phantom 4 Multispectral Drone during the recent Elevate Africa Summit 2024 held at the Argyle Hotel, Mombasa Road.
From Left to Right – Kenya Flying Labs CEO – Cleopa Otieno, Chief Guest – Senator Taitha Mutinda Munene, Konza Technopolis CEO – John Paul Okwiri, and Ritesh Billawa, Manufacturing Engineer, Airbound talk about the 1.5kg delivery drone manufactured by Airbound during the recent Elevate Africa Summit 2024 held at the Argyle Hotel, Mombasa Road.
From Left to Right – Chief Guest – Senator Tabitha Mutinda Munene, Konza Technopolis CEO – John Paul Okwiri, and Addy Kimani – Sales and Marketing Lead, Fahari Aviation discuss the different drones supplied by Fahari Aviation to various clients in the market, during the recent Elevate Africa Summit 2024 held at the Argyle Hotel, Mombasa Road.
Cleopa Otieno, CEO of Kenya Flying Labs, expresses deep gratitude to Chief Guest Senator Taitha Mutinda Munene for her invaluable support in ensuring the success of the Elevate Africa UAS Summit 2024.
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