Mozambique recently marked a major milestone in technology-driven disaster resilience on Friday with the completion of its Drone Technology Project and the graduation of 30 drone pilots.
Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levi presided over the ceremony, underscoring the national importance of using drones to strengthen disaster preparedness and response: “The use of drones in the management of natural disasters is an initiative that embodies the Government’s commitment to adopting innovative technologies for monitoring extreme weather events, conducive to the protection of human life and the social and economic fabric of our country.”
Addressing the new pilots, she said, “The certificate you receive today is more than authorisation to pilot. From now on, you will become part of the country’s first line of response. This mission must be undertaken with discipline and responsibility, because a well-piloted drone can accomplish in a short time what a team would take days to do in disaster areas. A well-piloted drone allows search and rescue teams to obtain precious information about who needs support and what kind of support.”
Mozambique faces mounting climate vulnerabilities. Increasingly frequent cyclones and intense tropical storms trigger devastating floods that displace thousands and destroy infrastructure. Meanwhile, prolonged droughts threaten food security and water resources, while rising sea levels endanger coastal communities and ecosystems.
Officials say conventional disaster response mechanisms cannot match the speed and scale of climate-driven emergencies.
The African Development Bank Group supported the initiative in close partnership with the Government of Mozambique. Funded through the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund, the project has strengthened Mozambique’s capacity to leverage drone technologies. These advanced tools will now drive disaster risk management, emergency response, and long-term climate resilience.
Rômulo Cunha Corrêa, the African Development Bank’s Country Manager for Mozambique, confirmed that the project has delivered concrete, lasting results. The initiative was financed through a $967,000 KOAFEC grant. It was successfully implemented over 15 months following its launch in April 2025.
“This project is more than the delivery of equipment. It is about technology transfer, capacity building, innovation, and long-term resilience,” Corrêa said, adding that it had helped Mozambique “build the human and technical foundation needed to use drones, sensors, geospatial data, and digital systems to better protect communities and infrastructure.”
According to Corrêa the initiative is “fully aligned with the Bank’s commitment to climate resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable development across Africa.” Together, he added, the Bank, the Government of Mozambique, the Republic of Korea, and Busan Technopark have built a strong foundation for sustainable cooperation and future innovation in drone-based disaster management.
The project delivered far more than drone hardware. It established a sustainable, locally owned system for disaster assessment and emergency response. Crucially, it built the human capacity to sustain these operations over the long term.
Technical teams from the Republic of Korea led the implementation. Busan Technopark headed the efforts alongside Hojung Solution and PNU Drone of Korea’s Pusan National University. Working with the African Development Bank Group team and Mozambican counterparts, they delivered customised drone technologies, hands-on training, and a tailored disaster management system.
That system was tested far sooner than anticipated. When severe nationwide floods struck in January and February 2026, partners deployed an emergency drone response team. Working alongside national authorities, they provided real-time flood assessments. This marked the first tangible demonstration of the project’s real-world capability.
Thirty New Drone Pilots, Ready to Serve
At the heart of the ceremony was the graduation of 30 newly certified drone pilots. They are trained in disaster response, agriculture, surveying, and infrastructure management. The practical, hands-on program achieved high trainee satisfaction.
The graduation program featured a Live Drone Flight Demonstration of emergency aerial operations. Graduate pilot Eunicia Sambo shared her pride in contributing to community safety.
“Today we celebrate an achievement, but we also assume a new responsibility. The certificate we received marks the beginning of a mission that requires permanent updating, innovation and commitment to the public service,” Sambo said. “On behalf of graduates, we reaffirm our commitment to serve Mozambique with competence, dedication, professionalism and public service spirit.”
Kisook Kwon, Director of Busan Technopark, described the 30 graduating pilots as the project’s greatest achievement. Kwon emphasised the initiative focused on utilising technology to improve lives.
Changwoo Baek, Director of PNU Drone, added that the project builds a lasting foundation for Mozambique’s drone industry.
Hojung Solution noted that the early January–February 2026 flood response demonstrated the immediate value of these built capabilities.
Looking Ahead: From Maputo to Seoul
The ceremony closes one chapter of the African Development Bank–Mozambique–Korea cooperation while opening the next. Building on this momentum, stakeholders plan to expand technology-driven cooperation across Africa.
That momentum will carry forward to the 8th KOAFEC Ministerial Conference, scheduled for Seoul from 8–11 September 2026. Held under the theme “Harnessing AI and Digital Infrastructure for Africa’s Transformation”, the conference will bring together African and Korean stakeholders to advance the exact kind of technology partnership showcased in Maputo.
The project demonstrates the African Development Bank Group’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and climate resilience.
