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Mozambique has taken a decisive leap forward in enhancing its disaster management and climate resilience capabilities with the official launch of the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project. This groundbreaking initiative is a collaborative effort involving the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Government of Mozambique, and Busan Techno Park of Korea.
At its core, the project aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to predict, assess, and respond to natural disasters by introducing state-of-the-art drone technology and a structured national training programme. The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has already received a fleet of high-performance drones equipped with sophisticated sensors, real-time data collection tools, and communication systems designed to support more efficient disaster monitoring and coordination.
Mozambique’s urgent need for such innovation stems from its extreme vulnerability to climate-related hazards. The country frequently faces cyclones, devastating floods, persistent droughts, and rising sea levels, which continue to endanger lives, disrupt livelihoods, and damage vital infrastructure. Government officials have emphasized that traditional disaster response systems are no longer sufficient to manage the scale and speed of today’s climate emergencies. “This project delivers cutting-edge drone technology to help Mozambique anticipate, detect, and respond to disasters faster and more effectively,” said El Khili Lhoucine, Project Team Leader.
A central pillar of the initiative is the capacity-building component, which will see 30 experts from key government agencies undergo specialized drone operation and disaster management training. The programme is structured into three cohorts of ten participants, each participating in two weeks of theoretical and practical instruction. Following this stage, ten top-performing trainees will progress to an advanced certification phase, preparing them to become qualified drone instructors. This approach ensures the creation of a sustainable pool of local experts capable of training future specialists and embedding drone technology into Mozambique’s long-term disaster preparedness framework.
“This phase represents a pivotal moment,” noted Fidelis Mnyanyi, Co-Team Leader of the AfDB project. “With the arrival of the new equipment and the training programme underway, we are building a skilled national workforce that can manage disaster response with confidence, independence, and technological expertise.”
Mussa Mustafa, Deputy Director General of INAM, highlighted that integrating drone technology will significantly enhance Mozambique’s ability to detect and respond to weather-related threats, improving both accuracy and timeliness in disaster forecasting. Trainee Eunicia Sambo added that the training represents “a crucial step in equipping communities with the tools to protect themselves and mitigate future disaster impacts.”
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The initiative also benefits from strategic support from Korea’s Busan Techno Park, which is contributing technological expertise and implementation guidance. “We are proud to support this transformative project that demonstrates the power of technology in advancing climate resilience and sustainable development,” said Yeji Lee, Global Business Team Lead at Busan Techno Park.
Overall, the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project underscores the African Development Bank’s broader commitment to innovation, climate adaptation, and sustainable growth across Africa. By combining cutting-edge technology with local capacity-building, Mozambique is positioning itself as a regional leader in modern, data-driven disaster risk management.
