The term ‘drone’ refers to an uncrewed aircraft which can be controlled remotely. Typically, An Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is used in reference only to aircraft that can fly autonomously or remotely. Although the terms “UAV” and “drone” are used interchangeably in practically all articles, websites, and news, we must make a distinction that not all drones are UAVs. Both refer only to the machine itself, whereas, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) refers to not just the ‘drone’ or vehicle but also the operator pilot, the air control systems, software, GPS, and other infrastructure. See the UK Civil Aviation Authority's guide to UAS for more information.

It’s important to start by understanding the problem, only then can you assess if drones are a suitable and affordable solution. The cost of UAS varies depending on the use case, and therefore the type of drone or UAV appropriate for the task, the location and distances involved, the length of operations (emergency response or sustainable operations), the existence of local suppliers and supporting infrastructure.

It has been demonstrated that UAVs can offer solutions to real challenges, for example timely deliveries to remote health clinics or more targeted crop spraying (see more use cases in this report from the Africa Drone Forum) but whether UAVs present a value for money solution, or in which circumstances they may do so, is a more challenging question to answer.

There are a growing number of drone or UAV developers and operators so it’s important to consider what you need when selecting a supplier.

What type of UAV is required, is it about carrying the maximum payload, covering large distances or high quality mapping? Will you need to land to offload cargo? How many UAVs will you need to deliver the service? Is the supplier offering a service agreement or only supplying the technology? Will it be possible to repair or replace parts locally?

The FT Hub has worked with eight different partners on nine UAV pilots. The medical drone delivery database is a useful reference, as is the list of participants at the Africa Drone Forum Expo. There’s a need to support local skills development and local entrepreneurs to encourage local innovation and solutions. The Africa Drone and Data Academy is leading the way in supporting the next generation of drone pilots and data analysers.

All things to consider when identifying the best fit supplier for your work.

Whether you need a licence will depend on the type of drone, what the drone is being used for and local laws and regulations. The use of UAVs or drones is typically governed by regulation in the country of use. You can find information on Country Regulations on the International Civil Aviation Organisation website. Some countries operate drone testing corridors which provide a controlled environment for testing drone technology and conducting demo flights prior to applying for licences to operate elsewhere. For example, the Malawi humanitarian drone testing corridor provides a controlled platform for the private sector, universities and other partners to explore how drones can help deliver services that benefit communities.

The Humanitarian Code of Conduct and Guidelines is also a useful reference for those operating in emergency response environments.

Community sensitisation is critical and we’ve seen the value of this in our pilots. In the case of Sustained UAV Operations, community engagement was initiated in collaboration with UNICEF’s local partner, College of Medicine, prior to any flights being initiated. Whenever possible the team took a UAV with them so they could show communities the technology. With a view to scaling their solution, Astral Aerial and CABI, implementers of the Drones for Locust Control pilot, have conducted a survey to better understand community perceptions. Time invested in mapping suppliers and building relationships will likely be recouped, as it is crucial to long-term project sustainability.

Stakeholder mapping may be especially valuable in challenging humanitarian contexts, where community sensitisation and acceptance are even more vital. This is because UAVs may carry a military connotation, as noted in FCDO’s policy paper: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Development and Humanitarian Contexts.