Drone Operation Center (DOC)

Timeline

September 2023 to December 2026

Status

Ongoing

Contact Person

Kamali Kagenera

Position

Drone Operation Center – Project Manager

Email

kamali.kagenera@risa.gov.rw

Location

Telecom House 8 KG 7 St, Kacyiru

Background

The Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) is establishing a state-of-the-art Drone Operation Center (DOC) at the current Huye Airport, with a total budget of 13.4 billion Rwandan francs. This initiative represents a major step forward in leveraging technology for socio-economic development. Rwanda has already shown strong political will and innovation by being the first country to approve the use of drones for national-scale health delivery services. The DOC aims to foster a supportive ecosystem for drone enthusiasts, manufacturers, operators, and researchers, positioning Rwanda as a global leader in drone technology and innovation.

Project Objectives

The Drone Operation Center (DOC) has several key objectives:

Center of Excellence: Establish the DOC as a hub that attracts key players and stakeholders in the drone industry to Rwanda, fostering an environment conducive to innovation, research, and development in drone technology.

Innovation and Socio-Economic Development: Integrate drone technology into various sectors such as health, agriculture, environmental protection, and infrastructure, facilitating the development of new drone applications to address local and global challenges.

Employment Opportunities: Generate jobs within the DOC and related sectors, enhancing local economies, and provide specialized training to equip the workforce with the necessary skills for the drone industry.

Sustainable Operations: Align DOC operations with Rwanda's Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy by implementing environmentally friendly practices and technologies to minimize the project's carbon footprint.

Project Activities

Site Selection and Mobilization:

  • Identify and secure the Huye airstrip for the DOC.
  • Mobilize resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials, for the initial phase of the project.

Construction Phase:

  • Construct the Huye Airport Fence
  • Construct and equip the DOC facilities, including drone hangars, maintenance workshops, training centers, administrative offices, and research labs.
  • Construct the Upper Air Station with METEO-Rwanda

Operations Phase:

  • Facilitate drone registration, leasing, repair, maintenance, and manufacturing.
  • Offer training programs and workshops for local schools, colleges, and drone enthusiasts to build capacity and expertise.
  • Conduct ongoing research and development to explore new drone applications and enhance existing ones.
  • Implement rigorous safety and security measures to ensure safe drone operations.

Project Impacts

Economic Development
The DOC will create direct and indirect employment opportunities within the DOC and related sectors. It will increase income for local farmers and suppliers through the procurement of goods and services and stimulate local businesses, including shops, restaurants, hotels, and banks, through increased demand.
Educational and Training Opportunities
The DOC will enhance skills and knowledge among local students and professionals through comprehensive training programs and workshops. It will promote gender equality by ensuring equal opportunities for men and women in employment and training initiatives.
Environmental Benefits
The DOC will reduce its carbon footprint by using drones for tasks traditionally performed by more fuel-intensive methods. It will also improve land use and water resource management through drone-based mapping and monitoring.

Vision for the Future

In 2015, Rwanda achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first country to utilize drones for health delivery services at a national scale under Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight conditions. This pioneering endeavor marked the beginning of a new era in leveraging drone technology to address critical challenges. The Rwanda Emerging Technology Strategy recognized the drone sector as a field that Rwanda should prioritize for further development given its potential impact across different sectors.

The DOC is being established with a vision of evolving into a versatile hub for Innovation, Research and Development, Training, and Economic Development.

Mission of the DOC

The mission of the DOC is to leverage the potential of drone technologies to drive progress in diverse sectors and create a thriving ecosystem for the drone industry in Rwanda. The DOC aims to achieve this mission through several key objectives and roles:

Safe Space for Testing Drones (Drone Corridor)

Providing a secured and controlled environment for testing and experimentation with drones, facilitating the development and refinement of drone technologies and applications.

Business Incubation for Drones

Acting as an incubator nurturing startups and entrepreneurs in the drone industry, fostering innovation and helping them transform their ideas into viable businesses.

Innovation Center

Serving as a center for innovation, bringing together creative minds and technology enthusiasts to collaborate on cutting-edge drone-related projects.

Co-working Space

Providing a collaborative workspace for drone enthusiasts, researchers, and professionals to work together, exchange ideas, and drive innovation forward.

Training Center for Drone Pilots

Offering comprehensive training programs to develop skilled drone pilots, ensuring the safe and proficient operation of drones in various applications.

Research Site Linked to Universities

Collaborating with universities and research institutions to conduct research on drone technology applications and their societal impacts.

Venue for National and International Events

Hosting both national and international events, particularly those focusing on drones, bringing together experts from around the globe to engage in knowledge exchange and idea-sharing.

Certification Center

Offering certifications to individuals and institutions, including universities and private companies, seeking to operate drones safely and legally.

Strategic Location: Huye

The choice of the City of Huye and the Huye Airstrip as the site for the DOC is strategically significant. Huye provides several advantages:

Existing Infrastructure: Huye boasts essential infrastructure such as tarmac roads, electricity, water, universities, and internet connectivity, maximizing the return on government investment in the area.

Real Testing Conditions: The proximity to an urban environment allows for testing drones in real-world conditions, meeting the requirements of companies like Zipline and enabling the development of urban-focused drone solutions.

Airstrip: The available airstrip (860m x 25m) is invaluable for testing a range of drones and can potentially generate revenue from manned aircraft operations.

Educational Institutions: Huye is home to several universities and technical institutions, fostering a fertile ground for the creation of a drone innovation ecosystem within the DOC.

Accommodation: The availability of accommodations ensures that visitors, trainees, and participants in DOC activities have convenient lodging and restaurant options.

The strategic location of the DOC in Huye facilitates collaboration with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) schools and universities. This collaboration will yield various programs aimed at developing drone solutions and related support and services businesses. The DOC’s training facility will be instrumental in establishing training schools and enhancing educational and training options to meet the increasing demand for drone-related skills.

The DOC aspires to become a regional hub of excellence, attracting key stakeholders in the drone sector from Rwanda and the broader region. This includes drone manufacturers, operators, pilots, hobbyists, researchers, universities, and other industry players. The DOC aims to be a place where these stakeholders can convene, collaborate, innovate, learn, research, develop, and implement viable business ideas.

  • METEO-Rwanda: to set up and operate the Upper Air station that will provide necessary data to fly drones.
  • ENI (Italian company): Engaged in a project on energy and forestry monitoring, especially in Gishwati and Mukura.
  • Auterion Limited (Swiss company): Plans to set up a Drone Knowledge and Skills Hub with UR-AceIoT and work on the development and rollout of use cases with Locus Dynamics.
  • Thales (French company): Partnering with the DOC, especially in setting up an office within the DOC or establishing a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Government of Rwanda.
  • HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station): In collaboration with Softbank and Mira Aeronautics, this project aims to fly a drone in the stratosphere (17 km above the ground) that can stay aloft for six months, providing 5G network coverage on the ground.
  • ADDA (African Drone and Data Academy, a UNICEF Project): Providing training on geospatial analysis and drones.
  • FlyPyka (American company): Planning to set up a cargo project in Rwanda.
  • FARADA (Polish company): Has signed an MoU to start cooperation, particularly in:
    • UAS manufacturer acceptance
    • UAS registration
    • UAS activity permits
    • Training and certification of remote UAS pilots
    • Conducting BVLOS operations

The successful implementation of the DOC is expected to yield significant benefits for Rwanda and the region. These benefits encompass short-term and long-term advantages in sectors such as health, agriculture, environmental protection, infrastructure development, tourism, and entertainment. The DOC project will accelerate economic development by creating jobs in these sectors, contributing to Rwanda and the region's mid-term and long-term development aspirations.

The DOC in Rwanda envisions a future where drone technology is at the forefront of innovation, education, and economic development. Through its multifaceted approach, strategic location, and collaborative efforts, the DOC seeks to position Rwanda as a regional leader in drone technology, unlocking its potential to solve critical challenges and create a better future for all.

In addition to its core missions, the DOC will serve as a dynamic venue for hosting a wide range of events, conferences, workshops, seminars, and gatherings related to drone technologies. These events will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration within the drone ecosystem. The DOC aims to become the go-to location for leaders, industry experts, and enthusiasts in the field of drones.

By establishing the Drone Operation Center, Rwanda is positioning itself as a hub for drone technology and innovation, significantly contributing to the country's socio-economic growth and technological advancement. The successful implementation of the DOC will not only position Rwanda as a leader in drone applications but also enhance the quality of life for its citizens through improved services and economic opportunities.