By embodying components like scientific research, proof of concept initiatives, capacity building, support to investment, enterprise development, networking, experience capitalisation & communication, this project has started transforming Africa’s agriculture into a high-tech industry, with decisions being based on real-time gathering and processing of data, productivity & yields
The establishment of 38 rapidly expanding, youth-led enterprises offering drone-based services in 21 African countries, represents a significant development for the continent & a milestone for the building of the African Information Society. Started at the end of 2016, this project caught the attention of young entrepreneurs who were selected via a competitive processes, trained, & technically & financially supported in offering drone-based services to farmers’ organisations, agribusinesses, government, international development agencies & other parties. A June 2019 survey confirmed that the enterprises have been recruiting staff, investing in new equipment, increasing their turnover and client portfolio. An industry association (Africa Goes Digital Inc) as been established to support further growth of the enterprises and enable members to group, offer diverse services & be more competitive. The project played an important role in establishing an enabling environment for the technology. It supported the African Union’s appointed High Level African Panel on Emerging Techs in selecting “drones for precision agriculture” as one of the most promising technologies which would foster Africa’s development. In Jan 2018 the AU Executive Council recommended that all Member States harness the opportunities offered by drones for agriculture. A full report entitled “Drones on the horizon: Transforming Africa’s Agriculture” was launched at the Africa Innovation Summit in Kigali (6/6/18). Project implementers co-authored the report & have been advising national civil aviation authorities in developing regulations for the responsible use of drones.

https://www.cta.int/en/projects/eyes-in-the-sky

• Africa

• Youth
• Small-scale farmers

Based on studies conducted, the main bottleneck for widespread adoption of drone tech in Africa has been related to the absence of national regulations governing the use of drones and the shortage of trained operators. The Decision EX. CL/Dec. 986-1007 (XXXII) issued by the African Union EC on 26/01/18, recommending all Member States to harness the opportunities offered by drones for precision agriculture has stimulated governments to develop and enact adequate legislation. As of June 2019 about 60% of African countries have now regulations in place or adjusted civil aviation regulations to cover the use of drones. Like for all innovative technologies, scaling up and sustainability are the key challenges. Said that, on the African continent, competition for licensed drone operators is very low. As per the latest statistics South Africa (the 1st African country which passed drone regulations in 2015) is the one accounting for highest number of licensed commercial drone operators : less than 30. The UK, in comparison has close to 5000. Rwanda has two licensed operators, Ghana a handful, etc. Hence, provided regulations are in place, and additional training facilities are established (at present drone pilot schools are found only in SA) the industry can flourish. In this respect the project is supporting the establishment of drone academies in Senegal & Benin in partnership with the School of Aviation of the Eastern Kentucky University. Lessons learned indicate that diversification of services is key for the success of the business. Evidence of replicability comes from within the project, as beneficiaries opened shop in other countries (eg Cote d’Ivoire and Niger), or deliver services beyond their respective national boundaries. The traction for drone based services is increasing exponentially, especially via large agribusinesses and demand from development agencies. Evidence is provided by projects like the African Drone Forum funded by the World Bank and other initiatives funded by UNICEF & FAO around the World.

The project has been successful so far in supporting the introduction, establishment and flourishing of a drone-based service industry in 21 African countries. Based on regular monitoring and more specifically a survey carried out in June 2029, most enterprises have been recruiting staff (i.e. youth employment); investing in new and more advanced equipment and analytical software, and substantially increasing their turnover. During the 1st semester of 2019 enterprises signed most (54%) service contracts with private companies as opposed to donor agencies (14%), and the value of individual contracts increased compared to previous assessments. These are all indicators of enterprise's sustainability. Significant is also the fact that project beneficiaries have been teaming up to carry out assignments which needed complementary skills, equipment and digital solutions.
Success is measured in both financial as well as reputational terms. Enterprises recruiting staff or opening branch offices in other countries are definitely doing well. Talented entrepreneurs like Charis UAS (based in Rwanda and Cote d’Ivoire) and Sowit SAS (based in France, Morocco and Senegal) are regularly invited to share their experience at high level international events.
Long terms sustainability is secured by the establishment of Africa Goes Digital Inc. (AfGD) a legally incorporated industry association representing African digital enterprises. AfGD assists its members in developing their enterprise, consolidating their reputation, running a thriving business, and excelling in delivering quality services. Members have to meet a number of eligibility criteria and pay membership fees. AfGD provides a range of services to its members & sources funding for supporting its operations and also the growth of its members in terms of enterprise management, business development and acquisition and service delivery.

This project exemplifies how talented and educated African youth can build on innovative and disruptive technologies to launch start-up enterprises which can serve propelling Africa into the digital age and serve decision-makers at various levels with current, high resolution, location specific and actionable remote-sensed information. Benefitting from an enabling environment created by a Decision (to which this project has contributed) passed in January 2018 by the Executive Council of the African Union, an increasing number of African countries are now passing legislation governing the use of drones. Using diverse channels including social media (@AfGoesDigital and @uav4ag with 17K and 46K followers on Twitter respectively, and 156K on Facebook), and in publishing in both English and French a number of technical papers, articles and blogposts on success stories, challenges posed by restrictive regulations, cost effectiveness of the technology and a report on public perception of drone technology in Africa, the project has raised global awareness on drone technology for agriculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific which are the target regions for CTA. Capacity building has been at the core of this project and staff from each of the participating enterprises has been trained in a range of disciplines including enterprise management, marketing, communication, drone piloting, drone regulations and ethical use of the technology, remote sensed data acquisition and processing and finally the use of digital media. Some financial support has been provided on a cost-sharing basis to assist the operators in acquiring needed equipment and software.