Gaborone-based drone services company Drones for Africa (not to be confused with us; we are Drones R Africa) have entered a partnership with a Namibian ICT company that will see the drone start-up expanding its services into the South-west African country.

In a statement, the new partners explained that their collaboration was aimed at combining the technical prowess of Drones for Africa in unmanned aerial systems with Schoemans’ legacy in delivering high-quality automation and ICT infrastructure.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with a company that shares our values and long-term outlook,” said Marang Mbaakanyi, CEO of Drones for Africa, on the sidelines of Schoemans’ 65^th year anniversary where the announcement was made.

“Namibia is primed for innovation, and with Schoemans as our trusted partner, we are confident that this venture will deliver transformative value.”

“Our entry into Namibia through this partnership represents more than just a business expansion. It is a strategic alignment with a respected legacy brand that understands the needs of the Namibian market and shares our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and skills development.”

Mbaakanyi added that the collaboration forms part of Drones for Africa’s long-term vision to scale its operations across Africa. Namibia was just a natural place for them to set the ball rolling, as it is ripe with opportunities for drone deployment in sectors such as mining, law enforcement, agriculture, infrastructure, land surveying, and conservation.

Schoemans, a household name in automation and IT services, brings decades of trusted service and a robust customer network to the table; key ingredients for the successful integration of drone technologies into local industries.

In Namibia, the company will be known as Schoemans Drones for Africa, the ICT company said.

“Celebrating our 65th anniversary with this announcement is symbolic,” said Schoemans CEO, Henk Schoeman.

“It reflects our continual evolution and readiness to embrace the future. Partnering with Drones for Africa allows us to broaden our offering with forward-thinking, data-driven solutions that can unlock new value for our clients.”

This partnership is expected to fuel job creation, skills transfer, and youth empowerment through training programs and pilot initiatives that equip Batswana with 21st-century skills.

Both companies have emphasised their commitment to local capacity-building and ensuring that the benefits of this collaboration extend beyond business to community impact.

The partnership was born from connections the two entities made during the Stanford Seed Transformation Programme, a prestigious business leadership initiative sponsored by De Beers Group, which brings together the two African enterprises that share a vision to unlock new opportunities for industries through smart drone solutions.

“This collaboration reflects the core mission of the Stanford Seed Programme: to equip African businesses with the tools and networks to scale,” the ICT company said in a statement.

“It also underscores the value of De Beers Botswana’s continued investment in supporting visionary African enterprises that are ready to lead transformation across industries and borders.

“With operations now officially underway in Namibia, Schoemans Drones for Africa stands as a testament to the power of strategic partnerships and regional innovation. This joint venture not only opens up new markets, it sets the tone for what’s possible when African companies join forces to build sustainable, tech-driven futures.”