Global market for drones to hit $150B by 2035, Idu highlights challenges for Nigeria, Africa

The global drone market has been estimated to reach $150 billion by the year 2035 according to aviation expert and chairman of Dronetecx 2022, Mr. Fortune Idu.

 He further highlighted that before the end of this decade, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and autonomous vehicle industry would experience exponential growth, and the application of drones will be found in virtually every sector.

 This emerging industry according to him is a game-changer with huge potential to create jobs in software and hardware engineering while empowering other sectors to deliver speed, efficiency, and cost-effective services.

 Idu, in his welcome address at the just concluded second Drone Technology Expo, held at NIGAV Expo Centre at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos said Dronetecx was creating access for Nigeria and indeed Africans to tap into the huge market for job and wealth creation.

Dronetecx is Nigeria’s foremost Drone Conference and Exhibition aimed at promoting the advancement of the unmanned aerial system (UAS) and autonomous technology development in Africa which is tagged drone, UAV

 He added that this millennium had seen the evolvement of various disruptive Technologies from, the Internet, GSM, robotic, artificial intelligence, and space travel liberalization among others, stressing that these technologies are gradually redefining the way things are done and will in the near future direct every aspect of our existence.

 To him, for countries in Africa like Nigeria where physical infrastructure is a big challenge, the microtechnologies have driven by the microwave-controlled system present the hope for a catch-up with the advanced world at a fraction of the cost.

 He however noted that Africa must be ready to get involved in the backend of the technologies and not just at the front-end consumer seat.

 His words, “The global drone market has continued to expand on a daily basis with the growth of 18% CGAR and hopes to reach $150 billion in the year 2035 and DRONETECX is creating access for Nigeria and indeed Africans to tap into this huge market for job and wealth creation”.

 Dronetecx 2022 according to Idu offered the platform to explore all opportunities within this emerging sector and create a meeting point for researchers, operators, dealers, manufacturers, and buyers to network.

This year’s edition featured an open speaker’s plenary, an end user’s workshop, a youth seminar, a paper competition, and a drone for the humanitarian award, as well as expositions of drone-related products and services.

 As a trade promotional programme, the event included the exhibition of both hardware and software products, showcasing of services, and indoor simulation exercises that will be covered by the media to bring awareness to the essence of drones.

 Exhibitors that attended include Ere Technologies leading in software and control systems for drones making it possible for drones to virtually do anything, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority our Regulator, Accident Investigation Bureau, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), UFO Drone specialist and standard writer, Global Air Drone Academy, Aerial Robotix, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Projects Development Institute PRODA, The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Lagos State Office of The Surveyor-General, InfoShield.

 These companies exhibited to create the required industry portal for information and knowledge sharing. Delegates are encouraged to visit their stand.

The expo showcased the huge potential of the sector and allows buyers and sellers to exploit and create business opportunities.

Wole Shadare