Mozambique Builds Drone Force to Strengthen Disaster Response

Mozambique's National Institute of Meteorology sees the project as an important element of the country's broader digital resilience strategy.

Mozambique has taken a major step toward improving disaster preparedness by training its first group of certified drone operators, creating a specialized workforce that can support emergency response efforts during cyclones, floods and other humanitarian crises.

The milestone was achieved under the Drone-Based Disaster Management Solution project, an initiative supported by the African Development Bank and financed through the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund. The programme was officially launched in April 2025 with the goal of strengthening the country's ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters through the strategic use of drone technology.

Thirty professionals successfully completed the training programme, including ten participants who qualified as drone instructors. The graduates came from a range of government agencies and institutions involved in disaster management and public service delivery. Officials say the newly trained specialists will play a critical role in helping authorities gather information more quickly during emergencies and improve decision-making when lives and infrastructure are at risk.

International Partnership Brings Advanced Skills and Technology

The training took place in Maputo through a partnership involving Mozambique's Ministry of Communication and Digital Transformation, Busan Technopark of the Republic of Korea and PNU Drone, a technology enterprise linked to the Aerospace Engineering Department at Pusan National University. Participants received extensive instruction covering drone piloting, airspace regulations, mission planning, data collection methods and maintenance procedures. The programme was designed specifically around disaster management scenarios, ensuring operators could apply their skills in real-world emergency situations.

African Development Bank Mozambique Country Manager Rômulo Corrêa said the institution would continue supporting capacity-building initiatives that improve public services while reducing operational costs. He noted that the transition from training to active deployment ensures national institutions have both the equipment and expertise needed to respond more effectively during emergencies. The project, valued at approximately US$967,000, reflects a broader effort to connect African countries with leading international technology centres and adapt innovative solutions to local development challenges.

Drones to Be Deployed in High-Risk Flood Zones

With the training phase completed, attention is now shifting to field operations. The Mozambican government has identified five disaster-prone zones where drones will be deployed to support emergency management activities. Ten operators from the newly certified group will be selected to participate in this operational phase. Their work will include search and rescue missions, aerial mapping, surveillance activities, water quality monitoring and the collection of critical information for early warning systems.

The use of drones is expected to provide authorities with faster access to information during emergencies, particularly in remote or difficult-to-reach areas where traditional monitoring methods can be challenging. Accurate aerial data can help emergency teams identify affected communities, assess infrastructure damage and coordinate relief efforts more efficiently. In flood situations, real-time imagery can provide valuable insights that support evacuation planning and resource deployment.

Foundation Laid for Long-Term Digital Resilience

Mozambique's National Institute of Meteorology sees the project as an important element of the country's broader digital resilience strategy. Director General Aderito Celso Félix Aramuge described the completion of the training programme as a significant achievement that establishes a national foundation for drone operations and future expansion. The newly certified operators and instructors are expected to form the backbone of a growing national capability that can be strengthened over time.

Officials from the Korean partners also emphasized the long-term nature of the initiative. PNU Drone Director Changwoo Baek said the programme has created a self-sustaining drone workforce capable of supporting disaster response efforts independently.

Project Manager El Khili Lhoucine of the African Development Bank highlighted that the initiative goes beyond providing equipment. The project is focused on transferring knowledge and technical expertise so that Mozambican professionals can operate, maintain and eventually expand the system without relying heavily on external support. As climate-related disasters continue to affect Mozambique with increasing frequency, the development of a skilled drone workforce could become an important tool in protecting communities, improving emergency response capabilities and strengthening the country's resilience against future natural hazards.