We knew our dedicated pursuit of Chinese drone maker EHang’s footprint onto the commercial drone industry would be rewarded someday: because now the company has officially set its sights on Africa.
Last week, the drone technology company announced that it had successfully conducted the first-ever pilotless human-carrying flight of its passenger drone, the EH216-S, on African soil.
This milestone took place during the 9th Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda. EHang worked with its strategic partner China Road and Bridge Corporation (“CRBC”) for this historic breakthrough that has high hopes for seeing African organisations integrating drones into its low altitude economy.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame was present for the live demonstration and marvelled at steps EHang has so far achieved in passenger drone technology.
"This impressive flight will drive the development of low-altitude transportation in Africa," President Kagame said.
In a statement, the company said it was interested in pursuing business prospects on the African continent, whose intriguing vast geography presents unique opportunities for the low-altitude aviation, especially in remote and underserved regions.
“The successful debut flight of the EH216-S is not only a preview of its future deployment in practical commercial applications, but also a demonstration of how air mobility can address transportation challenges, enhance economic growth, and improve livelihoods across the African continent,” EHang said.
“EHang will join hands with partners such as CRBC to actively expand into the African market, leveraging its advanced pilotless aerial vehicle technology and rich experience in low-altitude application practices, and jointly explore an advanced air mobility development model suitable for the African region.”
The Chinese ambassador to Rwanda Wenqi Gao, who accompanied President Kagame for the demos, hailed the maiden flight as a symbol of deepening practical cooperation between China and Rwanda, as well as the broader context of China-Africa technological cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Ehang’s display stand at the summit attracted visitors from over 50 countries and regions across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with visitors keen to learn about the role drones can play in the low-altitude economy.
“The EH216-S flight is a brilliant showcase of China's cutting-edge technology and new-quality productive forces in Africa,” said Qilin Huang, head of CRBC's Rwanda Office.
“Looking forward, we will continue to explore eVTOL application scenarios in Africa and open up new opportunities this emerging market."
The world over, EHang passenger drones have so far completed over 73,000 flights, and the company’s expansion into Africa is set to see it working with African airlines, airports, civil aviation authorities, industry stakeholders, and aviation professionals, to explore innovative models and provide solutions that promote the development of the continent’s transportation, logistics, tourism and other sectors, and contribute to the better development of global new civil aviation.