The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed a landmark Letter of Intent with Japan’s Aerosense Inc. to expand drone technology projects across Africa, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure, road maintenance, and disaster response.
Introduction
On 21 August 2025, the AfDB and Aerosense Inc. formalized their cooperation at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in drone technology, aiming to improve infrastructure resilience and introduce innovative solutions to African development challenges.
Partnership Highlights
The agreement was signed by AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, Solomon Quaynor, and Aerosense President & CEO, Kohtaro Sabe.
It formalizes cooperation through:
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Joint promotion of sustainable infrastructure solutions.
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Information and knowledge sharing.
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Exploration of financing opportunities.
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Deployment of innovative drone-based applications.
This collaboration builds on Aerosense’s selection under the AfDB’s Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA) in June 2025.
Expanding Drone Applications in Africa
Drone technology is seen as a transformative tool for addressing Africa’s infrastructure challenges. Under the agreement:
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AfDB will coordinate with governments, support awareness campaigns, and explore financing for drone projects.
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Aerosense will conduct demand studies, assess feasibility based on local geography, and deploy solutions where viable.
Potential Uses Beyond Infrastructure
Solomon Quaynor noted that drone applications could extend beyond road maintenance.
“By partnering with Aerosense, we will not only promote efficient road management but also consider unique solutions such as disaster management, flood control, agricultural sensing, and medical equipment delivery.”
Kohtaro Sabe added:
“It is a great honor to serve the people in Africa with our Japanese technology for enhancing quality of life. We look forward to collaborating with AfDB to build a better future.”
Current Priorities and Future Potential
Aerosense’s “One Push Solution” — a user-friendly system combining drones with cloud data analysis — has potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency in areas where traditional infrastructure management is difficult.
AfDB–Aerosense Drone Cooperation Goals
| Priority Areas | Planned Action | Expected Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Road Maintenance | Drone-assisted monitoring under SRMPA | Better upkeep of road networks |
| Disaster Response | Feasibility for flood and crisis zones | Faster emergency interventions |
| Agriculture | Crop and soil sensing studies | Boosted productivity and planning |
| Healthcare | Medical supply delivery trials | Improved rural healthcare access |
Regional Relevance
Drone technology could play a significant role across Africa’s regions:
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West Africa – Better monitoring of roads and logistics corridors.
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East Africa – Support for agricultural innovation and climate resilience.
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Southern Africa – Disaster response tools for flooding and storms.
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Central Africa – Monitoring vast rural areas and supporting medical logistics.
By tailoring solutions to local needs, the AfDB–Aerosense partnership could provide scalable models for sustainable development.
Strategic Importance of TICAD9
The signing at TICAD9 highlights Japan’s growing engagement with Africa’s development. TICAD conferences have long served as a platform for African leaders, partners, and investors to foster innovation-driven growth.
This collaboration demonstrates how advanced technology from international partners can be aligned with Africa’s development priorities through trusted institutions like the AfDB.
The Bottom Line
The AfDB–Aerosense agreement represents a forward-looking step for Africa’s infrastructure and development agenda. With potential applications ranging from road management to healthcare logistics, drones could become an essential tool for solving long-standing challenges.
As implementation begins, this partnership may set the tone for how technology-driven solutions can accelerate Africa’s progress toward sustainable growth.
Sources: African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
