AfDB and Aerosense Ink Agreement to Drive Drone Technology in Africa
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Japan’s Aerosense Inc. have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to enhance cooperation on drone technology projects across Africa. The signing took place on 21 August on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama.
The LoI was signed by Mr Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation at the AfDB, and Mr Kohtaro Sabe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aerosense Inc.
The agreement establishes a framework for mutual cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint exploration of financing opportunities, particularly in the promotion of sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Aerosense Inc., a leading Japanese drone manufacturer, was selected in June 2025 under the AfDB’s Sustainable Road Maintenance Programme for Africa (SRMPA) following a competitive call for proposals.
Under the partnership, the Bank will facilitate coordination with African governments, run awareness campaigns, strengthen local capacity, and explore debt or equity financing for drone-related projects. Aerosense, in turn, will conduct demand and technical feasibility studies in target markets and assess opportunities for large-scale deployment based on positive outcomes.
Highlighting the potential impact, Mr Quaynor said: “This programme is a bold response to Africa’s growing infrastructure challenges. By partnering with Aerosense, we will not only promote efficient road management but also harness drone technology for disaster management, flood control, agricultural monitoring, and even medical deliveries.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr Sabe remarked: “It is a great honour to serve the people of Africa with our Japanese technology to improve their quality of life. We look forward to collaborating with the AfDB in building a better future together.”
