A groundbreaking collaboration among Tech Africa, Tchad FlyingLabs, WeRobotics, and the National Center for Research and Development (CNRD) has successfully launched the first-ever Drone Café in Chad.

Hosted on June 25, 2026, at the CNRD premises in N’Djamena, this seminal event centered on the compelling theme of «Opportunities linked to civil drones». The initiative’s core objective is to champion the critical role and practical applications of drone technology across various sectors within Chad, including vital areas like agriculture, livestock management, and the oversight of natural parks and reserves. This highlights a key aspect of Chad’s economic development.

Professor Mahamoud Youssouf Khayal, Director General of the CNRD, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the historic significance of national and international unmanned aerial technology stakeholders convening in N’Djamena, specifically within a dedicated research and development environment. He underscored that drones are no longer futuristic concepts but an immediate reality. Professor Khayal asserted that for Chad, with its expansive territory, complex logistical challenges, pressing geospatial data requirements, and the imperative for swift crisis response, drone technology presents an exceptionally relevant solution. This event marks a significant step in pan-African news regarding technological advancement.

Professor Khayal further outlined critical challenges Chad must overcome to fully harness the benefits of this technology. These include establishing a robust regulatory framework that balances secure drone usage with fostering innovation, developing comprehensive training programs to equip young people for emerging professions, and ensuring seamless integration through dialogue among institutions, private operators, and researchers. These discussions are pivotal for African politics and policy-making.

The Director General extended his profound gratitude to the collaborating partners — Drone Tech Africa, Tchad FlyingLabs, and WeRobotics — for their pioneering initiative and unwavering commitment. He also acknowledged the invaluable presence of experts who have already translated these advanced technologies into practical, operational solutions. Professor Khayal urged all attendees to seize this unique opportunity to acquire knowledge, forge strategic partnerships, and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive national roadmap. He concluded by stating, «Research is not a distant endeavor; it resides at the very core of our daily concerns, and drones offer a perfect illustration of this.»

He also offered appreciation to the dedicated teams at the National Center for Research and Development for their flawless execution in organizing the event, alongside the technical and financial partners whose belief made this project possible.

Mahamat Issa Abakar, Director of Drone Tech Africa, showcased significant research achievements, including projections from projects in Burkina Faso. He also detailed agricultural studies conducted within Chad’s Guéra province, specifically in Mongo, Baro, and Tabo. Here, a women’s agricultural project was meticulously filmed by drones to analyze their resilient farming practices. A primary objective of this research was to identify methods for increasing agricultural yields by up to 30% through advanced drone applications, a promising development for the African economy today.

Ali Mahamoud, a Service Head at the CNRD, elaborated on the integration of Artificial Intelligence in research, particularly highlighting the crucial role of drones in preventing conflicts between farmers and herders. These conflicts often arise from factors such as drought, water scarcity, and climate change. He further underscored the indispensable value of drones for wildlife surveillance within Zakouma National Park, monitoring transhumance corridors, conducting mineral prospecting, and even in the search for gold. Mr. Mahamoud stressed the immense importance of leveraging drones to acquire precise statistical data, offering valuable insights for Chad’s future.

Dr. Djimassal, a Research Officer, provided insightful clarifications on the complementary use of satellites. He explained how satellite imagery, captured from space, enables detailed visualization of various geographical features, including vegetation types, river systems, sparse forests, human habitations, shrub and herbaceous savannas, grazing areas, and thickets, particularly across Chad’s northern regions. Dr. Djimassal meticulously demonstrated the interpretation of these images, revealing comprehensive data on diverse natural resources, lakes, and indigenous forests.

Following these illuminating research presentations, a dynamic panel discussion convened, fostering an open exchange on the overarching theme of drones’ profound importance and multifaceted applications across various sectors.