Mozambique plans to implement technological solutions to address the effects of climate change through the launch of the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project. Officially presented on Thursday, April 3 in Maputo, this ambitious initiative strengthens the country’s ability to anticipate and effectively respond to cyclones, floods, and other extreme weather events that frequently impact the nation. Its expected impact goes beyond immediate emergency management improvements, aiming for a structural transformation of climate resilience across the territory.
Led by the Mozambican government, the project includes the creation of a national drone training center, where 30 professionals—among them, 10 local instructors—will be trained. Additionally, an aerial monitoring and response system will be deployed across five high-risk flood zones, with the goal of enhancing real-time surveillance, optimizing early warning systems, and improving disaster prediction models. These tools will enable authorities to anticipate critical situations, protect key infrastructure, and save lives. “Mozambique is ready to set a new benchmark in climate risk management in Africa,” said Muchanga Américo, Minister of Communication and Digital Transformation.
With an initial duration of six months, the project will receive technical support from the Busan Technopark in South Korea, a recognized leader in innovation and the use of drones in emergency situations. The planned technology and knowledge transfer will allow Mozambique to fully manage the system within three years, laying the foundation for sustainable technological autonomy in disaster risk management.
The initiative is funded by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund and administered by the African Development Bank, which is supporting Mozambique’s broader climate resilience strategy. Flavio da Gama, the Bank’s economist in Mozambique, emphasized the initiative’s importance in boosting the country’s response capacity, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The signing of a tripartite agreement between the Mozambican government, Busan Technopark, and the African Development Bank establishes Mozambique as one of the first African countries to integrate drone technology into its national disaster management system. Beyond its local impact, the project aims to become a replicable model across the region, positioning Mozambique as a continental leader at the intersection of digital innovation and climate adaptation.
