The African Development Bank (ADB) and Aerosense Inc., a Japanese company specializing in drones, have signed a letter of intent to promote the use of this technology in infrastructure management in Africa. The agreement was reached on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama,

This collaboration aims to strengthen local technological capabilities, facilitate geospatial data collection, and support key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure management, infrastructure management, security, and natural disaster response. In particular, drones will make it possible to monitor crops, map rural areas and transport medical equipment to hard-to-reach regions

Under the terms of this agreement, the AfDB will work with governments to facilitate project coordination, raise awareness of drone applications, and strengthen local technical capacities. The bank will also explore debt and equity financing options to support drone-related initiatives across the continent

Aerosense will carry out market studies and technical feasibility assessments adapted to the geographical specificities of Africa. The Japanese company will identify deployment opportunities where drone solutions can have the maximum impact on infrastructure development

“This program is a bold response to growing infrastructure challenges in Africa,” explained Quaynor. “By partnering with Aerosense, we will not only promote effective road management but will also explore the applications of drones in disaster response, flood control, agriculture, and the distribution of medical supplies.

The partnership extends beyond road maintenance and encompasses numerous sectors where drone technology could transform service delivery. Possible applications include monitoring flood zones, helping assess agricultural productivity, and delivering medical supplies to remote communities