The 2018 Lake Victoria Challenge.
In 2018, the shores of Tanzania's Lake Victoria were transformed into a hotspot of innovation and opportunity. The Lake Victoria Challenge, supported by the World Bank and other key international partners, was not just a competition but a symposium that united over 280 policymakers, innovators, and stakeholders. They gathered to explore the feasibility of drone technology as a new mobility model to serve hard-to-reach communities in the Lake Victoria region. The event was a testament to the collaborative spirit, with a symposium facilitating lively discussions across multiple tracks, all aimed at overcoming the mobility challenges faced by the region's rural communities.
The event was more than a technological showcase; it was a statement of intent, marking the beginning of a concerted effort to harness drones to improve healthcare access and create economic opportunities in East Africa. The vision was clear: to initiate a future-oriented mobility economy in Mwanza, offering young Africans the chance to build their futures in a technology hub complete with droneports, fabrication labs, e-commerce facilities, and public plazas.
The 2020 Lake Kivu Challenge
Fast forward to 2020, and the African Drone Forum's reach extended to the Lake Kivu Challenge in Rwanda. Building on the foundations laid at Lake Victoria, this event highlighted the practical applications of drone technology, bringing together participants from over 40 countries. The competitions tested the prowess of drone companies in advanced flight challenges like Emergency Delivery, Sample Pickup, and Find and Assess missions, all of which involved a 20km beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight. These challenges were more than competitions; they were real-world scenarios that showcased how drone technology could tackle some of Africa's most pressing logistical issues.
The 2020 African Drone Business Challenge
In the same vein, the 2020 African Drone Business Challenge was a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit, attracting 148 submissions from across the continent. This challenge was designed to seed and scale the next wave of drone businesses, with ten finalists being chosen to pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of industry experts. The winners received not only a monetary prize but also recognition as leading innovators in the African drone business landscape.
These events encapsulate the African Drone Forum's commitment to promoting innovation, fostering economic opportunities, and supporting the development of the drone industry in Africa. They are a clear indication of the forum's role in not only showcasing cutting-edge drone technology but also in fostering an environment where young Africans can learn, grow, and become the leaders of a new technological frontier.
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Where we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, celebrate new successes, and shape the future of Africa's drone ecosystem.