American drone technology company to set up factory in Rwanda

American drone technology company Dronlytics is set to establish a multi-billion-shilling drone factory in Rwanda before the end of the year. The move aims to position Rwanda as a hub for drone operations in the greater eastern Africa region, with a primary focus on agriculture to enhance yields and facilitate mapping activities. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa, Anthony Hall, the Board Chairman of Dronlytics, shed light on the company's innovative technology and its potential impact on the agricultural landscape of Africa. Hall emphasized the unique capabilities of Dronlytics' drone technology, drawing parallels with NASA's drones on Mars. He highlighted the significance of utilizing drones for agricultural purposes in Africa, a continent heavily reliant on farming. By providing tools to farmers for more effective chemical application and yield improvement, Dronlytics aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector in the region. The integration of drone technology in agriculture holds the promise of addressing food security concerns by leveraging big data analytics. Dronlytics functions as a big data company, collecting vital information such as moisture levels, soil conditions, diseases, and pests to enhance farming practices. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the company seeks to analyze this data to identify optimal strategies for improving yields and ensuring sustainability in agricultural production. Commenting on the relevance of drone technology for food security, Hall cited the successful implementation of similar technology in China's rice paddies. By adapting and applying Chinese drone technology to the African context, Dronlytics aims to increase agricultural productivity while minimizing costs for farmers. This strategy not only enhances yields but also contributes to poverty alleviation by enabling farmers to reinvest saved funds back into their agricultural activities. Amidst the excitement surrounding the potential benefits of drone technology in agriculture, concerns regarding the availability of skilled personnel to operate drones have been raised. Hall addressed these concerns by outlining the company's plans to establish a training program in Rwanda. Leveraging partnerships with local universities and drawing inspiration from existing drone initiatives like Zipline, Dronlytics intends to equip individuals with the necessary skills to operate their drones effectively. As Dronlytics gears up to expand its operations in the region, focusing primarily on rice cultivation due to its high water requirement, the company envisions significant opportunities for improving yields and boosting food production in Africa. By implementing advanced drone technology, Dronlytics seeks to enhance rice yields to meet the growing demand for food across the continent. In response to queries about technology innovation and obsolescence risk, Hall underscored the company's commitment to continuous evolution. By fostering collaborations with universities and encouraging entrepreneurial engagement with its open-stack technology, Dronlytics aims to harness innovation to stay ahead of technological advancements. The company's agile approach to innovation and its emphasis on intellectual property rights position Dronlytics as a key player in driving technological progress in the drone industry. With a forward-looking vision and a focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology for agricultural development, Dronlytics' establishment of a drone factory in Rwanda marks a significant milestone in the transformation of the agricultural landscape of East Africa. As the company embarks on its journey to revolutionize farming practices and enhance food security in the region, its innovative drone technology promises to be a game-changer for the agricultural sector.