We have an American firm that sells satellite information and services to governments and organizations worldwide and is looking to expand into Africa. To do that, they want to compete with organizations using drones and drone technology since satellites are much more scalable and cheaper when covering large areas and jurisdictions. To get started, the company is looking to research which countries in Africa have a legal or regulatory policy framework on the use of drone technology and which don't. Among the ones that have, what's the regulatory body overseeing the licensing of such technology? And for the licensed drone technologies in those countries, what applications are they being licensed for (e.g., agriculture, weather monitoring, disaster management, etc.)?
The regulatory landscape for drone technology in African countries is evolving. However, please note that regulations can change rapidly, and I recommend checking with up-to-date sources to get the most current information. Here's a general overview of some African countries with drone regulations and some that may not have a comprehensive framework in place:
African Countries with Drone Regulations:
1. South Africa:
South Africa has established comprehensive regulations for commercial and recreational drone use, including requirements for registration, pilot certification, and safety guidelines. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has set guidelines for drone operations and issued various categories of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) licenses. Application areas include Agriculture, wildlife monitoring, environmental monitoring, filmmaking, surveying, infrastructure inspection, disaster management, search and rescue, and aerial photography.
2. Kenya:
Kenya has implemented regulations for drone operations, requiring operators to
obtain permits and adhere to specific operational guidelines. Applications arears include
Agriculture, wildlife conservation, environmental monitoring, filmmaking, aerial
photography, surveying, mapping, and delivery of medical supplies to remote areas. The
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has developed regulations for drone operations
in Kenya. Commercial drone operators need to obtain approval from the KCAA.
3. Rwanda:
Rwanda has been a pioneer in drone regulation and integration. Applications
include Healthcare delivery (e.g., blood and medical supply transport), agricultural
monitoring, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, and search and rescue. The Rwanda
Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) has established a regulatory framework for drone
operations, particularly in sectors like healthcare and logistics.
4. Nigeria:
Nigeria has a regulatory framework in place that required drone operators to obtain permits from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for both recreational and commercial use. Applications arears include Agriculture, environmental monitoring, surveying, mapping, filmmaking, infrastructure inspection, and surveillance.
5. Ghana:
Ghana has regulations that governed the use of drones for various purposes,
including delivery and data collection. Applications arears are Agriculture, aerial
photography, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and search and rescue.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has implemented regulations for drone
operations in the country.
6. Morocco:
The Moroccan government has established regulations for drone operations,
including requirements for obtaining permits for various types of drone activities.
Application arears include Agriculture, environmental monitoring, surveillance,
surveying, filmmaking, and infrastructure inspection. The Office National des Aéroports
(ONDA) has set out the basic rules for drone use in the country. Before flying a drone,
operators must obtain authorization from ONDA.
7. Uganda:
The Ugandan government has regulations governing drone use, including the requirement for operators to obtain permits for commercial operations. Drone operations are allowed in Uganda but are essentially limited to Ugandans and subject to CAA regulations. Drones are mostly used for agricultural purposes.
8. Tanzania:
Tanzania has established drone regulations that included the need for permits
and adherence to safety guidelines. Only citizens and residents may own a drone.
According to the TCAA, drones are allowed in Tanzania, subject to TCAA regulations.
Application arears include humanitarian aid and agricultural support.
9. Egypt: Egypt has enacted regulations for drone use, requiring operators to obtain permits
from the Civil Aviation Authority. Drone operations are technically legal in Egypt if the
Civil Aviation Authority grants permission. Obtaining consent is extremely difficult.
Some of the application arears include firefighting, medical fields, Media photography,
10. Algeria:
Drone operations are restricted in Algeria without permission and are not
regulated by National Air Navigation Establishment (ENNA). Areas that drone
application applies include agriculture, public safety, Data collection and analysis, and
conservation purposes.
11. Democratic Republic of Congo:
drone operations are allowed in DR Congo, subject to CAADRC regulations. Drones are majorly used for agricultural purposes.
12. Sudan: The Sudanese agency responsible for drone safety, SCAA, has not codified drone use regulations in Sudan.
13. Eritrea:
The Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) regulates drone use in the country. It has yet to codify drone use regulations in the country.
14. Somalia:
The Somalian agency responsible for drone safety, SCAA, has not codified
drone use regulations in Somalia.
15. Central African Republic:
The Central African Republic agency responsible for drone safety, ANAC, still needs to codify drone use regulations in the Central African Republic.
16. Libya: Due to political and security challenges, Libya's drone regulations are limited and subject to Libyan Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA).
17. Zimbabwe:
Drones are allowed in Zimbabwe, subject to CAAZ regulations. The application area at the moment is the agricultural sector, as the government is exploring the potential of drones in its health, medical, safety, and security industries.
18. Tunisia:
The Tunisian agency responsible for drone safety, OACA, still needs to codify
drone use regulations in Tunisia.
19. Togo:
Drone operations are allowed in Togo for recreation and commercial use if granted
permission, and under strict regulations administered by National Civil Aviation Agency
(ANAC), drones are being used to support agriculture and infrastructure development.
20. South Sudan:
The South Sudan agency responsible for drone safety, SSCAA, has yet to
codify drone use regulations in South Sudan.
21. Sierra Leone:
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Sierra Leone, drones
are allowed in Sierra Leone, subject to SLCAA regulations. To transport essential
medical supplies such as blood, vaccines, and medications to health facilities in rural
areas.
22. Seychelles:
According to the SCAA, flying drones is legal in Seychelles, but pilots must
strictly follow strict specific regulations. The Seychelles government has recognized the
potential of using drones for various security purposes, such as border patrol and
surveillance of public spaces.
23. Senegal:
According to the National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology
(ANACIM) of Senegal, drones are allowed subject to its regulations. Senegal is
embracing drones to improve agricultural yields and the quality of life for rural
communities.
24. Sao Tome and Principe:
The Sao Tome and Principe agency responsible for drone safety, INAC, has yet to codify drone use regulations in the country.
25. Niger:
Drone use is allowed in Niger, but several drone laws must be followed when
flying there. The body in charge of drone regulation is The Niger agency ANAC.
26. Namibia:
According to NCAA, drones are allowed in Namibia, subject to NCAA
regulations. Ways in which drones are used in Namibia Conservation and Wildlife
Monitoring, Research and Data Collection, Tourism and Filmmaking, Infrastructure
Inspection
27. Mozambique:
IACM states that drones are allowed in Mozambique, subject to IACM
regulations. Some of the applications of drones in Mozambique are Agriculture and
Farming, Disaster Management and Humanitarian Aid, Environmental Monitoring and
Conservation, Infrastructure Inspection, Search and Rescue Operations, Aerial
photography, and filmmaking.
28. Mauritius:
According to DCA, drones are allowed in Mauritius, subject to DCA
regulations. Some of the application areas include Agriculture and tourism sector.
29. Mauritania:
According to The Mauritanian Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), Drone
operations are not regulated in Mauritania
30. Mali:
The Mali agency responsible for drone safety, The Malian Civil Aviation Authority
(ANAC), has yet to codify drone use regulations in Mali.
31. Malawi:
Drones are allowed in Malawi, subject to DCA regulations. Application areas
include agriculture, wildlife conservation, and healthcare.
32. Madagascar:
Drones are allowed for commercial use in Madagascar, with permission
from and subject to the Civil Aviation Authority of Madagascar (ACM) regulations.
Some application arrears include crop monitoring, conservation, and urban planning.
33. Liberia:
According to Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), drone operations are
allowed in Liberia, and drafted regulations still need to be adopted. Some of the
application areas include agriculture, which helps combat Illegal logging.
34. Guinea-Bissau:
The Guinea-Bissau agency responsible for drone safety, ANSAC, has yet
to codify drone use regulations in Guinea-Bissau.
35. Guinea:
Guinea does not have a specific regulatory framework for drones. However, the country’s civil aviation authority, the National Agency of Civil Aviation (ANAC), is
responsible for overseeing and regulating all aspects of civil aviation, including the use of
drones. Without specific drone regulations, drone operators in Guinea must adhere to the general rules and guidelines set forth by the ANAC.
36. Gambia:
Drone use is allowed in Gambia, subject to Gambia Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) regulations. One of the major application areas is agriculture.
37. Gabon:
Drone operations are allowed in Gabon, subject to Agence Nationale de
l’Aviation Civile (ANAC) du Gabon regulations.
38. Ethiopia:
Drone operations are allowed in Ethiopia, subject to Ethiopian Civil Aviation
Authority (ECAA) regulations. Drones are majorly used for agricultural purposes.
39. Eswatini:
Drones are allowed in Swaziland, subject to Swaziland’s Civil Aviation
Authority (SWACAA) regulations.
40. Equatorial Guinea:
Autoridad Aeronáutica de Guinea Ecuatorial (AAGE) has not codified drone use regulations in Equatorial Guinea.
41. Djibouti:
Djibouti is known to have drone regulations in place. The regulatory body
overseeing drone technology is the Djibouti Directorate of Civil Aviation. Drones are
used for aerial photography, surveillance, and monitoring.
42. Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast:
Cote d'Ivoire has a regulatory framework for drones managed
by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Drone applications in the country include
agriculture, environmental monitoring, and security.
43. Congo:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has established drone regulations
overseen by the Congolese Civil Aviation Authority. Drones are used for wildlife
conservation, surveying, and aerial mapping.
44. Comoros:
Information regarding drone regulations in Comoros is limited, and it's
advisable to consult local authorities for the latest updates on regulations and permitted
applications.
45. Chad:
Chad has introduced drone regulations, and the Ministry of National Civil Aviation
is the relevant authority. Drones have been used for tasks like environmental monitoring
and data collection.
46. Cameron (Cameroon): Cameroon has drone regulations overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority. Drones are used for agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and surveillance.
47. Cape Verde: Cape Verde has drone regulations managed by the National Civil Aviation Authority. Drones are used for coastal monitoring, disaster response, and environmental studies.
48. Burundi: Information on drone regulations in Burundi is limited, and you should seek
advice from local authorities for the most recent updates on rules and permitted
applications.
49. Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso has established drone regulations under the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation. Drones are used for applications including agriculture, land
use planning, and infrastructure inspection.
50. Botswana:
Botswana has drone regulations overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Drones are utilized for wildlife conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and environmental
monitoring.
51. Benin:
Benin has drone regulations managed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Drones are
used for agriculture, surveillance, and disaster management applications.
52. Angola:
Angola has introduced drone regulations overseen by the National Institute of
Civil Aviation. Drones are used for agricultural monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and environmental assessment.
53. Lesotho:
The Lesotho Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) oversees the use of drones in the country. They have been working on establishing a regulatory framework to ensure safe and legal drone operations. The licensed applications for drone technology in Lesotho could encompass a range of sectors, including but not limited to agriculture, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, mapping and surveying, and wildlife inspection.
54. Zambia: Drones are allowed in Zambia subject to Zambia Civil Aviation
Authority (ZCAA) regulations. Drones are utilized for tasks such as agriculture to
infrastructure development.
References:
1. Laws, M. at D. (2023b, August 3). Drone laws in African countries - [updated August 2,
2023]. Drone Laws. https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-african-countries/
2. Frąckiewicz, M. (2023, March 1). Zambia’s evolving drone industry: A look at current
trends and regulations. TS2 SPACE. https://ts2.space/en/zambias-evolving-drone-
industry-a-look-at-current-trends-and-regulations/
