The 30 drone pilots who were the first to get training in using drone technology during disaster situations in Mozambique have graduated, at a ceremony that has been described as a major milestone in technology-driven disaster resilience.
The pilots underwent training in June, as the Mozambican government look for innovative ways of responding to disaster, especially cyclones that have ravaged the country in recent years, destroying property and displacing thousands of people. Moreover, prolonged droughts have also threatened food security and water resources, while rising sea levels endanger coastal communities and ecosystems.
The country’s prime minister Maria Benvinda Levi presided over the ceremony, and underscored the importance of using drones to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.
"The use of drones in the management of natural disasters is an initiative that embodies the Government's commitment to adopting innovative technologies for monitoring extreme weather events, conducive to the protection of human life and the social and economic fabric of our country," Levi said.
"The certificate you receive today is more than authorisation to pilot. From now on, you will become part of the country's first line of response. This mission must be undertaken with discipline and responsibility, because a well-piloted drone can accomplish in a short time what a team would take days to do in disaster areas.
“A well-piloted drone allows search and rescue teams to obtain precious information about who needs support and what kind of support."
The project has a really mouthful name - Drone-Based Disaster Management Solution Project in Mozambique – and involved the government of Mozambique in close partnership with the African Development Bank Group and the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund and Busan Technopark, which brought the drone expertise.
Financed through a $967,000 KOAFEC grant, it has been implemented over the past 15 months following its launch in April last year.
AfDB country manager for Mozambique Rômulo Cunha Corrêa, the African Development said they were happy with the project, which he added had delivered concrete, lasting results.
"This project is more than the delivery of equipment,” said Corrêa.
“It is about technology transfer, capacity building, innovation, and long-term resilience. This project has helped Mozambique build the human and technical foundation needed to use drones, sensors, geospatial data, and digital systems to better protect communities and infrastructure.
He added that the initiative was fully aligned with the AfDB’s commitment to climate resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable development across Africa. The project partners, he added, got good lessons in building capacity for strong foundations on sustainable cooperation and future innovation in drone-based disaster management.
Technical teams from the Republic of Korea led the implementation, with Busan Technopark heading the efforts alongside Hojung Solution and PNU Drone of Korea's Pusan National University. They delivered customised drone technologies, hands-on training, and a tailored disaster management system.
And as fate would have it, the system was tested far sooner than anticipated: When severe nationwide floods struck in January and February this year, partners deployed an emergency drone response team. Working alongside national authorities, they provided real-time flood assessments, marking the first tangible demonstration of the project’s real-world capability.
At as one of the main drawcards for the ceremony last Friday, the 30 graduating drone operators received their certificates, after completing training in applications that included disaster response, agriculture, surveying, and infrastructure management.
The graduation program featured a Live Drone Flight Demonstration of emergency aerial operations. Graduate pilot shared her pride in contributing to community safety.
"Today we celebrate an achievement, but we also assume a new responsibility,” said Eunicia Sambo, one of the pilots.
“The certificate we received marks the beginning of a mission that requires permanent updating, innovation and commitment to the public service.
"On behalf of graduates, we reaffirm our commitment to serve Mozambique with competence, dedication, professionalism and public service spirit."
Kisook Kwon, Director of Busan Technopark, described the 30 graduating pilots as the project’s greatest achievement. Kwon emphasised the initiative focused on utilising technology to improve lives.
Changwoo Baek, Director of PNU Drone, added that the project builds a lasting foundation for Mozambique's drone industry.
Hojung Solution noted that the early January–February 2026 flood response demonstrated the immediate value of these built capabilities.
Friday's ceremony closes one chapter of African Development Bank–Mozambique–Korea cooperation while opening the next, in which the stakeholders plan to expand technology-driven cooperation across the whole of Africa.