Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) commonly known as Drones, are a relatively new technology in Africa, but they are needed and welcomed as evidenced by the African drone Forum, held in February 2020 in Rwanda.
Even before this pandemic took hold worldwide, drones were being used in a number of African countries such as Rwanda, to send blood and medical samples back and forth from hospitals in rural areas in Rwanda not easily accessible by road. Since the beginning of this pandemic, drones from Charis UAV, have been used by Rwanda’s police to make announcements and to monitor the public.
Drones have so many other uses and can be a useful tool during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that life in some normal form continues and that full use is made of the resources available to try and stay economically viable.
Other ways in which drones can be especially important in Africa:
1. Medical and Health Industry
I.. Supplying medical samples – The drones can be used to supply medical samples because they are a faster and safer way, to transport samples during this pandemic and reduce the risk of transmitting any infections, “Drones cannot get infected”.
II. They can also be used to provide emergency first aid.
III.. The drones can be used to also deliver medical supplies and medicines especially in rural areas.
2. Drones in the Agriculture Industry
Drones can be used to:
I. Replace a percentage of labor that is not available.
II. Measure crop health using maps created by drones.
III.. Count the number of plants which can help in the decision making by farmers.
IV. Use aerial imagery to assess crop damage and use the information to try and mitigate loss.
V. Look at irrigation patterns to see where irrigation and water is most needed and use the drones to irrigate the farm.
VI. Using drones to collect data and make farms sustainable.
3. Drones can be used during natural and/or man-made disasters - Drones can be used with infrared sensors, to detect humans by their heat signature during search and rescue.
4. Construction Industry
Drones can be a useful tool in the construction industry in Africa:
I. Track and communicate progress on a site.
II. Track and manage materials and assets.
III. Reduce theft, by providing security when a site is closed.
IV. Increase safety by using drones to view sites before personnel is let on a site.
V. Provide information for improving any design changes.
5. Real Estate Industry
I. Drones can be used to take pictures and videos of undeveloped land scheduled for development to get an aerial view of the land.
II. They can also be used for insurance inspections, appraisals and building management.
There are many more industries that could use drones to create efficiencies in Africa. These uses would need to be explored and researched. For instance, in the film industry in Nigeria, affectionally known as Nollywood, drones could be used to film certain scenes and sceneries in the movies. The goal of using drones is to make the most of a viable form of technology in Africa and allows Africa to leapfrog over some technologies to create efficiencies and opportunities not yet realized especially in today’s world, where data and information are the most important currency.
Resources
3. CDC
4. COVID-19 response in Rwanda: Use of Drones in Community awareness
5. World Bank
