A groundbreaking collaboration between Tech Africa, Tchad FlyingLabs, WeRobotics, and the National Centre for Research and Development (CNRD) has ushered in a new era for technological advancement in Chad with the launch of the inaugural Café Drone event.

This pioneering gathering took place on June 25, 2026, at the CNRD facilities in N’Djamena, under the compelling theme: « Les opportunités liées aux drones civils » (Opportunities related to civil drones). The initiative’s core mission is to champion the significance and practical applications of drone technology across diverse sectors, including agriculture, livestock management, and the crucial oversight of Chad’s numerous national parks and natural reserves.

Professor Mahamoud Youssouf Khayal, the Director General of the CNRD, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the historic nature of the event. He noted that for the first time, national and international stakeholders in unmanned aerial technologies converged in N’Djamena, within an institution dedicated to cutting-edge research and development. Professor Khayal emphasized that drones are no longer a futuristic concept but a tangible reality of the present. He asserted, « Au Tchad, notre vaste territoire, nos défis logistiques, nos besoins en données géospatiales et en réponse rapide aux crises font des drones une solution d’une pertinence exceptionnelle » (In Chad, our vast territory, logistical challenges, geospatial data requirements, and the need for rapid crisis response make drones an exceptionally relevant solution).

Professor Khayal also outlined several pivotal challenges that Chad must overcome to fully harness the benefits of this transformative technology. These include:

• Regulatory Framework: Establishing secure drone usage protocols while simultaneously fostering innovation.
• Training and Development: Equipping the nation’s youth with the skills necessary for the jobs of tomorrow in drone technology.
• Integration: Fostering seamless collaboration among governmental institutions, private sector operators, and academic researchers.

The Director General extended his profound gratitude to the collaborating partners—Drone Tech Africa, Tchad FlyingLabs, and WeRobotics—for their visionary initiative and unwavering commitment. He also acknowledged the invaluable presence of experts who have already translated these technologies into practical, operational solutions. Professor Khayal urged all participants to seize this unique opportunity to learn, forge new partnerships, and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive national roadmap for drone integration. He concluded by stating, « La recherche n’est pas une activité lointaine. Elle est ici, au cœur de nos préoccupations quotidiennes. Et les drones en sont une illustration parfaite » (Research is not a distant activity. It is here, at the heart of our daily concerns. And drones are a perfect illustration of this).

Further appreciation was extended to the dedicated teams at the National Centre for Research and Development for their seamless organization of the event, as well as to the technical and financial partners who believed in the project’s potential.

Mahamat Issa Abakar, Director of Drone Tech Africa, captivated attendees with a presentation showcasing research achievements from Burkina Faso. He also highlighted agricultural research conducted in Chad’s Guéra province, specifically in Mongo, Baro, and Tabo. Here, a women’s agricultural project was meticulously filmed by drones to analyze their farming practices in the face of environmental resilience. The overarching goal of this research is to demonstrate how drone utilization could potentially boost agricultural yields by up to 30%.

Ali Mahamoud, a Head of Service at the CNRD, delved into the critical theme of artificial intelligence (AI) integration in research, particularly emphasizing the role of drones in preventing escalating conflicts between farmers and herders. These conflicts are often exacerbated by drought, water scarcity, and the profound impacts of climate change. He underscored the vital importance of drones in wildlife surveillance within the renowned Zakouma National Park, monitoring transhumance corridors, aiding in mineral prospecting, and facilitating gold exploration. Mr. Mahamoud concluded by stressing how drones are indispensable for acquiring precise statistical data across these diverse applications.

The third speaker, Dr. Djimassal, a dedicated Research Officer, provided insightful clarifications on the use of satellites to capture high-resolution imagery from space. This technology allows for detailed visualization of vegetations, rivers, open forests, human settlements, arboreal and herbaceous savannas, vital grazing areas, and thickets, especially in Chad’s northern regions. Dr. Djimassal offered a comprehensive explanation of how these satellite images of various natural resources, including lakes and natural forests, are interpreted to yield crucial environmental insights.

Following these illuminating research presentations, a dynamic panel discussion was convened, allowing for an engaging exchange of ideas on the overarching theme of integrating drones across multiple critical sectors.