Mozambique is strengthening its disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities through the expanded use of drone technology, marking another significant step in the country’s digital transformation and climate resilience strategy.
The initiative follows the graduation of 30 certified drone pilots under the Use of Drones for Disaster Monitoring and Management Project, a programme implemented by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation through the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM). The graduation ceremony, held in Maputo, was presided over by Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levi.
As one of Africa’s most climate-vulnerable nations, Mozambique regularly experiences cyclones, floods, droughts, and severe storms that threaten lives, infrastructure, and economic activity. Government officials say integrating drone technology into disaster management will significantly improve the country’s ability to monitor and respond to these emergencies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Levi described the project as an important milestone in the country’s adoption of innovative digital solutions for disaster risk management. She noted that drones will enable authorities to conduct real-time surveillance, rapidly map affected communities, and deliver critical data directly to emergency coordination centres, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making during disasters.
According to the government, the expanded deployment of drones is expected to improve the speed, coordination, and effectiveness of emergency response operations by providing accurate situational information when it is needed most.
Beyond immediate disaster response, the initiative also reflects Mozambique’s broader commitment to leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen public services, improve climate resilience, and safeguard vulnerable communities against increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
The programme underscores a growing trend across Africa, where governments are embracing digital technologies to build smarter, more resilient disaster management systems capable of protecting both lives and livelihoods in the face of climate change.
