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SUPPLY CHAIN

Africa is set for world’s largest commercial drone deployment

By our News Team | 2022

Partnership aims to deploy 12 000 drones over five years to improve the reliability and efficiency of continent’s supply chains.

Africa could soon be home to the world’s largest commercial drone deployment – around 12 000 unmanned aircraft that would transform the continent’s supply chains and logistics from the ground up.

German drone delivery pioneer Wingcopter and Continental Drones Ltd., a subsidiary of Ghana- and Dubai-based Atlantic Trust Holding, recently announced that they have signed a partnership agreement to help establish drone-based delivery networks which will see thousands of Wingcopter drones deployed across 49 sub-Saharan African nations.

Supply Chain

Photo courtesy of Wingcopter and SUCOM drone communication systems

“These networks will dramatically improve the reliability and efficiency of existing supply chains but also help create completely new ones,” the businesses said in a statement.

According to the statement, over the next five years, the goal of the two partners is to deploy 12 000 Wingcopter 198 units, which are claimed to be the world’s most advanced delivery drone.

“In many African regions, insufficient infrastructure is one of the biggest barriers to universal health coverage and economic development. Setting up large-scale drone delivery networks across African airspace will propel logistics in these countries to a new level and help build an entirely new transport framework – much faster, cheaper, more sustainable and more efficient than the development of conventional ground-based infrastructure with all its unhealthy and climate-damaging emissions,” the statement said.

“Bridging the infrastructure gap through the deployment of large fleets of drones, even in the most remote places, will allow governments and the private sector to leapfrog inefficient infrastructure to climate-neutral, reliable and fast logistic capabilities.”

As the Wingcopter 198 is fully electric, it contributes to a more sustainable African logistics sector and will help move economies towards lower emissions.

Said Alexander Asiedu, Founder of Continental Drones and Chairman of Atlantic Trust Holding: “With our longstanding business experience on the ground and Wingcopter’s best-in-class drone technology, these networks offer a real chance to fuel economic development and help improve the livelihood of millions. African nations show true leadership by implementing this cutting-edge technology for the better of their people and generations to come.”

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Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.