African Development Bank Launches Drone Disaster Project.

Friday 4th April 2025

From left to right: Mr. Changmoon Yang, MD of Busan Techno Park, South Korea; Mozambique’s Minister of Communication and Digital Transformation; and Akposso Marcelle, Division Manager, AfDB, at the signing of a tripartite agreement for a drone-driven initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness in Mozambique

Por inAfrika Reporter

The African Development Bank, the government of Mozambique, and Korea’s Busan Technopark have launched an innovative initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness in Mozambique, a country that frequently faces natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, and mudslides. The project, called the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project, aims to enhance real-time disaster monitoring, early warning systems, and predictive flood modeling. By implementing a drone-based monitoring and response system across five high-risk flood zones, the initiative will help Mozambique better anticipate and mitigate climate-related disasters, which often cause severe destruction to infrastructure, agriculture, and communities.

The project will establish a drone training center in Mozambique, which will train 30 professionals, including 10 instructors. This is expected to provide Mozambique with the necessary tools and expertise to improve disaster management. Funded by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund, the initiative is being managed by the African Development Bank and will be implemented by Busan Technopark, a Korean agency renowned for its technological innovation and disaster management expertise. The project will be carried out over six months, with plans to evolve into a center of excellence and regional hub for disaster management.

Mozambique’s Minister of Communication and Digital Transformation, Muchanga Américo, expressed excitement about the project, emphasizing the potential for technology to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and response systems. The project will also include knowledge and technology transfer, allowing Mozambique to take ownership of the drone solution after three years, once supplier agreements are concluded.

Flavio da Gama, the African Development Bank’s Country Economist for Mozambique, stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing disaster risks. He noted that the project reflects a shared mission among governments, development institutions, and the private sector to protect lives, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable development. Changmoon Yang, Managing Director of Busan Technopark, highlighted the role of drones in providing critical data for flood management, further underscoring the project’s potential to save lives.

The project’s launch event culminated in the signing of a tripartite agreement between the African Development Bank, Busan Technopark, and the government of Mozambique. This agreement marks the beginning of full implementation and sets the stage for the scaling of this model to other disaster-prone regions across Africa. The initiative is part of the African Development Bank’s broader commitment to supporting climate resilience and digital transformation across the continent.