The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Aerosense Inc., a leading Japanese drone manufacturer, have signed a strategic agreement to advance the deployment of drone technology for infrastructure and development projects across Africa.
The partnership was formalised through a Letter of Intent signed on 21 August during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan. The agreement was signed by Mr. Solomon Quaynor, AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialisation, and Mr. Kohtaro Sabe, President & CEO of Aerosense Inc.
Driving Innovation Through Drone Technology
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and co-financing opportunities between AfDB and Aerosense. It will focus on promoting sustainable infrastructure solutions across Africa.
Key collaboration areas include:
- Supporting road maintenance and infrastructure monitoring under AfDB’s Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA).
- Facilitating awareness campaigns and capacity building for local partners.
- Conducting technical feasibility and demand studies in target African markets.
- Exploring debt and equity financing options for large-scale drone deployment projects.
Expanding Use Cases Beyond Road Management
While drone deployment will play a central role in efficient road infrastructure management, both institutions plan to expand into other areas of critical importance, such as:
- Disaster management and emergency response
- Flood and river monitoring
- Agricultural sensing and precision farming
- Medical equipment delivery to remote regions
According to Solomon Quaynor, AfDB Vice President:
“By partnering with Aerosense, we will not only promote efficient road management but also consider promoting other unique solutions such as disaster management, river/flooding control, agricultural sensing, and medical equipment delivery.”
Japanese Technology Meets African Development Goals
Aerosense Inc., selected under AfDB’s SRMPA call for proposals in June 2025, brings cutting-edge Japanese drone technology to Africa. Its role will include demand studies, feasibility assessments, and technical deployment strategies adapted to local conditions.
Kohtaro Sabe, President & CEO of Aerosense, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership:
“It is a great honor to serve the people in Africa with our Japanese technology for enhancing their quality of life. We are looking forward to collaborating with AfDB to build a better future together in a concrete manner.”
Supporting Africa’s Infrastructure Agenda
This partnership represents a bold response to Africa’s infrastructure challenges, reinforcing AfDB’s mission to support sustainable development, innovation, and resilience across the continent.
By leveraging drone technology, AfDB and Aerosense aim to enhance infrastructure efficiency, strengthen climate resilience, and support Africa’s long-term economic growth.
