PHOTOS: President Kagame challenges drone tech experts to design African tailor-made drones

President Paul Kagame has said that the inaugural African Drone Forum should inspire the continent to design and manufacture drones with technology tailored to address African challenges. 

The head of state was presiding over the official opening of the first-ever African Drone Forum, in Kigali. The three-day gathering brings together over 800 delegates from across the globe.

Sharing an example of how drones have been instrumental in transforming health care service in Rwanda, President Kagame noted that the country is already seeing some of the benefits from the technology, not to mention the even bigger potential that lies ahead, he said. 

Rwanda uses drones to deliver life-saving blood products and vaccines to remote health centres, thanks to the partnership between Zipline, an American company that designs, builds, and operates drone aircraft, and the Government of Rwanda 

A Rwandan company, Charis UAS, is also using drone technology for crop monitoring and mapping, to support the productivity of our farmers, and also uses the drone application to inspect power transmission lines from the air, to help make electricity grid more reliable. 

There is also a pilot project to test the effectiveness of drones for mosquito spraying in Rwanda. 

"There is so much that can be done with this technology. The African Drone Forum, therefore, comes at the right time," President Kagame said, adding, "Our experience in this sector has been that the priorities of safety, security, and innovation can all be effectively catered for, within the regulatory framework."

While offering thoughts on the importance of drones on the continent, President Kagame noted that continued investment in physical infrastructure and human capital, should go hand-in-hand with the adoption of drone technology. 

"Why limit ourselves to just using drones? We can also design and manufacture drones in Africa, as demonstrated by examples at this forum. This allows the technology to be tailored to our specific needs, and to help create new industries that generate employment and prosperity. 

"Finally, cross-border cooperation is essential. The flying competitions taking place in Karongi illustrate how much there is to gain, by fostering regional cooperation in this sector," the head of state noted. 

Alongside the inaugural African Drone Forum is the Lake Kivu Challenge Flying Competition, taking place in Karongi district later this week. 

President Kagame mentioned that this tournament has a great practical value, because competitors get to demonstrate what is possible, on the ground, and wished them success. 

President Kagame also challenged African and regional authorities on putting in place policies and regulations that promote innovation. 

"The African Drone Forum is about turning challenges into opportunities. This can-do mindset should inspire and guide us more broadly, in all that we are trying to achieve for our continent, and the world as a whole. Let's challenge ourselves to ensure that the outcomes of this gathering are practical and meaningful for the people of our continent," President Kagame added. 

He added, "I trust that the 5th East African Community Aviation Symposium, taking place later this month, will bring us closer to regional harmonisation in terms of policy and regulation," 

He also said that Rwanda has paid due attention and commitment to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, "as a key pillar for transforming our country and our continent, both socially and economically," he said.  

Photos by Village Urugwiro