In the early 2000s, Harvard graduate Keller Rinaudo Clifton and some of his friends came up with the idea to build an app that would turn a smartphone into a robot. The concept quickly launched to great success, but Keller was left somewhat dissatisfied. He felt the need to start a new project with more humanitarian benefits than a novel toy. Keller, along with Keenan Wyrobek, Ryan Oksenhorn, and William Hetzler, began investigating how drone technology could be used to help people in need.

It didn’t take long for them to realize that one of the biggest issues people in remote locations face is access to critical medical supplies. They knew that this was something that drones could address if properly developed. They established Zipline, a medical drone delivery company, out of Half Moon Bay, California. However, in the United States at the time, the drone industry was still in its early stages. The Federal Aviation Administration had yet to come up with regulations that would allow a company like Zipline to function domestically. So, in 2016, Zipline signed a contract with the Rwandan government to build a drone distribution center.

With the remoteness of much of the country, Rwanda became the perfect setting to test the drone delivery system safely. Fast forward eight years, and Zipline is one of the most successful drone companies in the world. They have built distribution centers enabling medical drone deliveries throughout Africa that were so successful, that it has helped shape the frameworks for drone delivery programs worldwide. Denise Soesilo, recipient of the 2020 Women and Drones Women to Watch award, explained that the continent’s ability to quickly work together to implement regulatory codes has been one of the keys to establishing Africa as a leader in the drone industry.

In June 2024, the Elevate Africa Summit: Your Gateway to the African Sky conference was hosted at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference, the first of which is planned to become an annual event, was organized by several local African drone companies and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). More than 500 participants from 21 different countries joined the summit to learn about and advance the unique possibilities that Africa can offer the drone industry. Some of the highlights of the conference included the significant advancements in drone regulations being developed in Africa, the continent’s leading example in encouraging women to excel in the industry, and how Africa is poised to transform the drone industry.

As one of the hosts of the event, KCAA Director of Air Navigation, Anne Gitau, was on hand to speak on behalf of the KCAA Director General. “Kenya has positioned itself as a leader in the drone ecosystem,” she said, “and KCAA has played a crucial role in implementing regulatory framework ensuring safety and regulatory compliance to be an enabler, not an impediment, dedicated to supporting the growth of the drone industry.” It is because of organizations like KCAA that companies like Zipline have been able to reach their full potential. Anne went on to say that Kenya, along with the other nations present at the summit, is seen in the eyes of the world as being at the forefront of developing and implementing drone regulations.

Captain Mercy Makau, founder of the Young Aviators Club of Africa, served as an ambassador for the Elevate Africa Summit. She spoke on how Africa is providing the education, tools, and encouragement needed to foster positive changes in people’s lives and the drone industry. “As an aviator with a passion for mobilizing youth towards innovation in aviation,” Mercy said, “I believe our collective vision and commitment to positive change will elevate Africa. By harnessing the power of drones, we can create a brighter, sustainable future. ‘Flying Forward Together,’ we can achieve extraordinary outcomes.”

As the drone industry continues to evolve, Africa stands poised to lead the way, demonstrating the transformative power of technology in addressing real-world challenges. With innovative companies like Zipline and collaborative efforts among nations, the continent is not only improving healthcare access but also inspiring a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. The Elevate Africa Summit showcased this potential, reaffirming that through cooperation and creativity, Africa can redefine the future of the drone industry and serve as a model for other regions around the globe.

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