26 August 2026

Tanzania Positions Itself to Benefit More From Drone Technology

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority has launched a National Drone Team to strengthen coordination, regulation and technical capacity as the country prepares for increased drone operations towards 2030.

Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General Dr Jabiri Bakari speaking at the launch of the National Drone Team, with a drone on the desk beside him — TCAA Director General Dr Jabiri Bakari at the launch of the National Drone Team in Dar es Salaam [TCAA]

Why this article matters
The National Drone Team gives Tanzania a mechanism for coordinating government institutions, regulators, private companies, innovators and technical experts as drone activity expands. Its remit brings innovation and investment into the same framework as aviation safety, security and responsible operation.

Registration, permit issuance, operating regulations, specialist skills and institutional capacity are central to Tanzania’s preparations for increased drone operations towards 2030. The initiative establishes a direction for national coordination, but the announcement does not report that new regulations or operating procedures have been adopted.

Of Interest
- The National Drone Team was launched in Dar es Salaam.
- Registration systems, permit issuance and other operational requirements are identified as priorities.
- The initiative is intended to strengthen coordination among government, regulators, industry, innovators and technical experts.
- Safety, security and responsible operation will remain part of the national approach.
- Tanzania is preparing for increased drone operations towards 2030 and beyond.
- Artificial intelligence and increasingly autonomous drone operations are driving the need for stronger policies and specialist skills.
- The initiative forms part of TCAA’s continuing work to strengthen oversight of drone operations.

Tanzania is stepping up efforts to benefit from drone technology by strengthening coordination, regulation and technical capacity.

Speaking at the launch of the National Drone Team in Dar es Salaam, the Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Dr Jabiri Bakari, said Tanzania should move beyond being merely a user of drone technology by building national capacity to understand, develop and manage it through robust regulatory systems.

Dr Bakari emphasised the importance of having strong systems for registration, permit issuance and other operational requirements for drones, while also creating an environment that encourages innovation, investment and the development of the technology in the country.

Given the opportunities presented by drone technology, Dr Bakari called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, regulatory authorities, the private sector, innovators, technical experts and other stakeholders to ensure that Tanzania derives maximum benefit from the technology without compromising safety and security.

The launch session in the TCAA boardroom, Dr Bakari at the head of the table. Note: 800 x 533 is the largest rendition available; larger sizes are refused by the host. — The launch session in the TCAA boardroom, Dr Bakari at the head of the table.

He also said the rapid pace of technological development, including artificial intelligence and drones capable of performing a wide range of tasks at scale with limited human intervention, requires Tanzania to continue strengthening its policies, specialist skills and institutional capacity.

The National Drone Team is expected to improve national coordination and enable stakeholders to align innovation and economic opportunities with safety, regulatory requirements and the responsible use of the technology, as Tanzania prepares for increased drone operations towards 2030 and beyond.

The initiative forms part of TCAA's continuing efforts to strengthen oversight of drone operations in Tanzania, including registration procedures, permit requirements and the development of operating regulations.