An exciting new challenge aiming to steer a civilian-led and scalable drone ecosystem to tackle pressing local issues for communities is underway in Africa. The challenge, known as the Innovate Africa Challenge on Civil Drones, works alongside African innovators to develop drone-based solutions for climate action, agriculture and green infrastructure.
Commissioned by the BMZ and implemented by GIZ through the Triangular Cooperation for Digital Innovation Made in Africa project, the initiative provides technical support, mentorship and financial incentives to innovators across Africa’s 40 member states. In partnership with Smart Africa, Impact Hub Berlin, and AUDA-NEPAD, the program is designed to transform high-potential ideas into scalable, real-world models.
Drones as tools for everyday development
Normally, drones are often associated with research or commercial photography. However, the project’s organisers of the initiative say that drones are shifting from being seen as “expensive foreign tools” to becoming practical, locally-led “decision tools.”
“Drones are closing physical distances by delivering emergency blood transfusions, monitoring critical green infrastructure, and providing precision farming data for smallholder farmers to improve yields,” Ellie Leopold, Programme Manager at Impact Hub Berlin told RESET.
JPF Aerial Ops in south Côte d’Ivoire “Drones allow for rapid evidence-based planning in disaster early-warning and land-use mapping, effectively ‘widening’ human judgment rather than just replacing it. They also offer underestimated potential in boosting local manufacturing and green jobs through maintenance and data analysis training.”
The initiative aims to incubate projects that can move beyond pilots and deliver measurable results for important local issues. Innovations that solve pressing problems, such as agricultural climate resilience, are top of the list. Of the 183 million hectares of cultivated land in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), 95 percent is rain-fed, according to the World Bank. This leaves farmers practically defenceless against the increasingly erratic seasons and extreme weather events that we’re seeing in recent years. Without rapid adaptation, experts warn that under current climate projections, Africa will only be fulfilling 13 percent of its food needs by the year 2050.
“Better decisions with fewer resources”
The challenge will culminate in a high-profile pitch and award event, where the winning team will be selected. The event will take place on the main stage of the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum (GCTDF) in Nairobi, Kenya on the 5th of March 2026.
“This strategic placement of this event around the GCTDF allows participants to network and connect with like-minded innovators, find possible partners and showcase their products/services to the continent,” Ellie explained.
The winning team will be awarded 50,000 EUR to implement their solution. The regions included in the project are already fertile ground for such innovations. These areas already have thriving drone sectors, drone-aware local governmental policies and, importantly, high demand for agricultural and climate-focused innovations.
In addition to the cash prize, the winner will be provided with tailored expert support to help them meet their planned implementation goals and milestones.
Ellie points out that drones in Africa have already found applications in key development sectors, such as healthcare, climate action and agricultural environmental monitoring. The initiative aims to build on this and forward their use in meaningful ways.
“In agriculture, they are opening doors previously only open to large commercial farms. Previously, crop health diagnostics, irrigation mapping and yield forecasting were abstract concepts for many. Drones can make these inputs more accessible, so even small-scale farmers can make better decisions with fewer resources.”
It’s the right time for such a project
On climate change, she noted that drones are becoming extensions of human decision-making, relieving limited capacity. “They don’t replace human judgment; they widen it. From land-use mapping to conservation tracking and disaster early-warning systems, they allow governments and communities to see faster, respond earlier and plan with evidence instead of estimates.”
She observed that the application has seen extensive impact in healthcare. She told us about the case of a Rwanda-based Zipline which began delivering blood and medical supplies to remote facilities in 2016. The move helped reduce delivery times from hours to minutes, positioning drones as critical infrastructure capable of saving lives.
Team MicroMek with their locally built Drones for testing and research in delivery of medicine for young children and pregnant women in hard to reach areas of Malawi Organisers say the timing for the challenge is perfect. Drones are showing great promise across the continent amid a nascent regulatory framework.
“This is the right moment because Africa’s drone market is currently on a sharp growth trajectory, with revenue expected to reach nearly US $50 million by 2025. Additionally, governments and regional bodies like the African Union and Smart Africa Alliance (SAA) are now actively crafting supportive regulatory frameworks, creating an ideal environment for scaling local, civilian-focused solutions,” the organisers explained in an email to RESET.
A focus on inclusion
Sadly, Africa’s drone industry remains uneven. Some countries, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have strong regulatory frameworks and active drone hubs. Meanwhile, many others have unclear policies that discourage experimentation. In many places, innovators also face the high cost of equipment and limited local manufacturing capacity.
“While drones have proven applications in agriculture, healthcare and environmental monitoring, many African innovators still face high hardware costs, limited local capacity, and complex regulatory hurdles,” said Ellie.
The organisers implemented a ‘diversity-sensitive design’ across all phases, from scouting to data practices. This ensures barrier-free participation for women and marginalised groups.
“Despite this being an innovation challenge, we focus more on collaboration and make sure no one is left behind. From our regular cohort sessions, where we facilitate ‘Founders Circles’ to one-on-one expert coaching, we give everyone the space to speak and to learn, while meeting the teams’ specific needs. We also encourage ongoing communication and collaboration through WhatsApp groups, to ensure accessibility for innovators in various regions,” said Ellie.
What success would look like
Ellie anticipates that over the next decade, the landscape could progress toward a hybrid model where African-led hardware and software solutions are fully integrated into national sectors like agriculture and disaster management.
“Drones will be most needed in last-mile rural areas to bridge infrastructure gaps in health and climate resilience. The Innovate Africa Challenge aims to catalyse a ‘Made in Africa’ innovation narrative that moves away from foreign-dependent technology to locally-owned and operated ecosystems,” she said.
